A literate, playfully provocative defense of free speech at its most abominable, Philip Kaufman and Doug Wright's movie impudently positions the Marquis de Sade as the twisted spokesman for the creative spirit.

| Mar 6, 2018

"Quills" is sensational in every sense of the word.

| Feb 23, 2012

Kaufman's biopic of the notorious Marquis de Sade is sharply uneven, serious, poignant, trashy, sleazy and sensationslist, marred by over-the-top turn from Geoffrey Rush.

| Original Score: C+ | Feb 8, 2011

a conceptual piece about the nature of creativity and questions of art

| Original Score: B | Jun 7, 2010

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 20, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 7, 2008

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jul 14, 2007

It pokes at sexual taboos - it's pretty subversive, considering - but sexuality and creativity are indelibly linked, and its true subject is expression, repression and catharsis.

| Jun 24, 2006

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 6, 2005

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 6, 2005

While it is horrible and sordid, it's also witty, fast-paced and intriguing as it explores freedom of expression.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 25, 2004

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Feb 2, 2004

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 12, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | May 14, 2003

You'll swear you can hear a throaty cackle of approval from the hereafter.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 1, 2003

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Feb 8, 2003

| Original Score: C | Jan 10, 2003

Kaufman and writer Doug Wright (adapting his own play) infuse the film with a decadent playfulness befitting a film about the Marquis.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Dec 8, 2002

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 8, 2002

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 30, 2002