"I didn't create this world of ours! I merely recorded it!"
Marquis de Sade, Quills
Quills, released in 2000, is a movie directed by
Philip Kaufman, and written by
Doug Wright, who also wrote the
play that the movie is based on. Quills is a fictional account of the
Marquis de Sade's stay in the
Charenton Asylum.
The movie begins with the
Marquis de Sade's account of a high noblewoman being executed at the
guillotine, for her sexual crimes. Where the movie first introduces, the Marquis's style of writing.
A
chambermaid,
Madeleine, helps the
Marquis de Sade to deliver his books to a publisher. She seems to only help him, because like many other people in
France, wants to read his stories. The gentle headmaster of the
Charenton Asylum,
Abbe Coulmier, is quite aware of the Marquis's writing, but not of its publication. Unfortunatly, the publication,
Justine, reaches the ears of
Napoleon, ruler of
France.
One of his advisors convinces him to send a new person to help watch over the
asylum,
Dr. Royer-Collard. A rather torturous "
psychologist", and one of gentleman nature on the outside, but in his bedchamber..
The story follow the Marquis as his right to write, is slowly taken away, piece by piece, and how he revolts against it.
This is a tale of
censorship,
religon, the effects of
media upon people, and many other themes. A wonderful tale, but not for the ones with
weak stomachs, for
violence and rather
vulgar language is the way of Sade.
Main Cast:
Geoffrey Rush - The Marquis de Sade
Kate Winslet - Madeleine
Joaquin Phoenix - Abbe Coulmier
Michael Caine - Dr. Royer-Collard
Billie Whitelaw - Madame LeClerc
Patrick Malahide - Delbene
Amelia Warner - Simone
Jane Menelaus - Renee Pelagie
Stephen Moyer - Prouix
Tony Pritchard - Valcour
Michael Jenn - Cleante
Danny Babington - Pitou
George Yiasoumi - Dauphin
Stephen Marcus - Bouchon
Elizabeth Berrington - Charlotte