Review of Quills (2000) by Laura M — 23 Feb 2008

Think my review will be a little biased here. First off, I really dislike period films. It's a completely unfair, subjective thing. I dislike the fashions of the time (both clothing and cultural) and I can't help but assume how awful people must have smelled since their were few effective sanitary/deoderizing items available, if at all.

That aside, I tried to give this film a chance based on its historical basis and since I hardly knew anything of the Marquis de Sade at all, save the fact that we have the concept of sadism (not to mention the word itself) thanks to his literary works.

In this way, it was informative, although obviously overly dramatized as is expected. The harsh and cruel realities of 18th century France are captured and transmitted bitingly. Again, rather subjectively here, it made me ill to watch Geoffrey Rush in a disheveled state, powdered white as was the fashion of the time, with a loose wig and slowly descending into insanity.

I was trying to decide whether it's Rush that I find so physically unappealing or the character he was playing. Also, many characters appear very one-dimensional and, as said before, the typical dramatization of historical films like this one makes this feel more like a "popcorn movie" than something accurate in its depictions.

I will say, though, that Joaquin Phoenix was really great as the most complicated (and tortured) character in the story and I usually don't like him very much as an actor. Also, I've never seen Michael Caine in such a wicked role.

That was entertaining in itself. Overall, I liked this movie, but I'd probably never sit through it again.