Rent Quills (2000)

Juicy, Entertaining Period Comedy - Quills review by GI

This is a very entertaining period drama, funny, sexy and at times a little challenging. Set in Napoleonic France in an insane asylum run by a young and idealistic Abbé (Joaquin Phoenix) who believes that care and compassion is what is needed for his patients. One of whom is the notorious Marquis de Sade (Geoffrey Rush in a tour de force performance) who has been committed for depraved acts with young servant girls. When some very saucy novels, suspected to be the work of the Marquis, begin circulating around Paris the prudish and nasty Dr Royer-Collard (Michael Caine in a juicy bad guy role) is sent to deal with the culprit. But despite restrictions placed on him de Sade continues to write his sexy stories and smuggle them out of the asylum with the help of Madeleine (Kate Winslet), one of the servants. Royer-Collard is determined to stop them but the Marquis is equally determined and very resourceful! Based on a stage play this is brilliantly acted, raunchy, clever and whilst it plays fast and loose with real events it is based on a true story. A period drama/dark comedy that circles around perversions in a really entertaining and fun way. It's a film that deserves a reissue and rediscovery.