Quills enters the mind of a Sadist

by Lauren Gross
STAFF WRITER

The word sadism, in reference to sexual perversions combined with the infliction of pain, comes from the name of Donatien-Alphonse-Francois de Sade, a.k.a. the Marquis de Sade.

De Sade was a French author who spent more than 27 years in prison because of his scandalous life. He wrote most of his controversial works while he was in prison. Some of these works are still considered obscene and unpublishable. One hundred eighty-seven years later, director Philip Kaufman (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) brings de Sade back to life in the latest film, Quills.

Australian actor Geoffrey Rush (Shine) recreates de Sade, who is living in exile in the Charenton Asylum. From his cell he develops scandalous writings, and with the help of the laundress Madeleine (Kate Winslet), his work is published.

Madeleine holds the affections of many, including Abbe Coulmier (Joaquin Phoenix). Coulmier is the well-meaning asylum director who spoils de Sade with material possessions such as a feather bed and various sex toys. He believes in treating his patients with compassion and providing them with means for creative expression.

When Napoleon discovers Justine, one of de Sade's anonymously published novels, he is appalled and traces the work back to the asylum. He assigns a new chief physician to Charenton, Dr. Royer-Collard (Michael Caine). Royer-Collard's mission is to cure the Marquis de Sade and to stop him from writing.

The more de Sade is prevented from expression, the more he is provoked. When they take away his ink and quills, he finds other things to write with, including his own blood.

The film is more than a historic look into sadism and pornography. Though there are some comedic aspects, the overall tone is tragic drama. It observes the lines of controversy between erotic desire and inhibition, virtue and corruption, art and censorship and passion and persecution. It questions the actions of insanity.

As a whole, members of the cast are not strangers to historical cinema, and they show their award-winning merit in Quills. Rush does a captivating job showing the gradual trail of madness to de Sade's bitter end. Winslet 's portrayal of the suggestive virgin Madeleine is bold and courageous. Caine will astonish any "Wilbur Larch" lover in his role of darkness. Finally, Phoenix joins his siblings in Phoenix iconography, as the asylum director. The defined stature and incredible emotion put into the role allows him to honorably perform the battle between his love for Madeleine and his love for God.

Quills was adapted to screen from the award-winning play by Doug Wright. It is a fresh new film that will not exhaust audience members with boredom but will introduce them to the world of sadism.