Review: Quills

Dir: Phillip Kaufman

Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joachin Phoenix

Catagory: Indie

Reviewer: Lorelei

Plot: It’s a number of years after the French Revolution, and the Marquis de Sade (Rush) is living out his last days in a madhouse. A lovely chambermaid (Winslet) is sneaking his violent, pornographic writing to a publisher, causing no end of trouble for the young abbot (Phoenix) who runs the asylum, especially when a priggish administrator (Caine) arrives. 

The Good: Just about everything about this movie is good. Geoffrey Rush’s Marquis is sexy, sleazy, and a little big scary. Kate Winslet is fantastic as the virginal chambermaid captivated by the Marquis’s provocative words. Joachin Phoenix’s character is both sincere in his desire to do what’s right, and tormented by his forbidden love for Kate. And Michael Caine—who doesn’t like Michael Caine? His turn as the hypocritical new asylum administrator is slimy perfection. 

Take your brain with you when you watch this movie. It poses some heavy questions in its wildly entertaining plotline: Do writers have a moral responsibility for what they produce? Can writing really influence someone to do good or evil? Is writing an art form, a career, or an obsession? Shocking, amusing, twisted and tragic, "Quills" is a rare kind of film—one that doesn’t flinch. 

The Bad: Like happy endings? Well, you ain’t gettin one from "Quills." If you’re looking for oodles of sex, you’ll be disappointed. There’s plenty of sexual tension, but very little bumper-uglies. (You do get to see Kate’s boobies, though, fellas.) 

Bottom Line: Kicks major ass. Do NOT miss this flick. It’s amazing. 

Rating: Four Screaming Orgasms