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Today's Date is:

Quills


Reviewed by: Rachel Hughes
Genre: Drama
Video: Anamorphic 1.85:1 Widescreen
Audio: English 5.1, English, French Dolby Surround
Language: English, French
Subtitle: English, Spanish
Length: 2hrs 4mins
Rating: R
Release Date: 5-8-2001
Studio: 20th Century Fox/Fox Searchlight Production
Commentary: Screenwriter Doug Wright
Documentaries: None
Featurettes: Three: The Marquis on the Marquee, Creating Charenton, and Dressing the Part
Filmography/Biography: None
Interviews: None
Trailers/TV Spots: Yes
Alternate/Deleted Scenes: None
Music Video None: None
Other Collectable Booklet: Still Gallery of Production Artifacts, Fact and Film
Cast and Crew: Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix and Michael Caine
Screenplay by: Doug Wright based upon his play
Produced by: Julia Chasman, Nick Wechsler, and Peter Kaufman
Directed By: Philip Kaufman
Music: Stephen Warbeck
The Review: "Quills" is based on the play written by Doug Wright. It tells the fictionalized story of the Marquis de Sades time in the Charenton insane asylum where he eventually died. While at the asylum he continues to write his illicit tales, and smuggles them to the outside world though a laundry maid, Winslet. All of this is going on unbeknownst to the idealist priest, Phoenix, who runs the asylum and believes kindness and understanding will cure the less fortunate. However the work of the Marquis enrages Napoleon who send a conservative doctor, Caine, to the asylum to quench the works of the Marquis, and make him sane again. However he soon discover that the harder he tries to "cure" the Marquis the more defiant and daring the Marquis becomes. The Marquis de Sade is not the sort of historical person you would think Hollywood would be clamoring to make a movie about, let alone attracting actors of this caliber. The cast could not have been better cast, and each actor seems to relish the role they are playing. As it turns out we all have Kate Winslet to thank for the film. After Titanic she was sent a pile of scripts and she liked this one the best. It is easy to see her attraction to the script. The film does a wonderful job at not making a hero out the Marquis. He was after all a man of unusual tastes to say the least. You end up appreciating the Marquis work as a reflection upon man's nature, and how those around him reacted to it.
Image and Sound Most of the film takes place inside the walls of Charenton. There are many shadows lurking everywhere. The transfer preserves the shadows with out making them look grainy or gray. What light that we do see looks light natural daylight. The fleshtones are particularly good in the film. The picture itself is without any noticeable flaws. The sound is also well done. The sore by Stephen Warbeck comes through the front speakers, yet doesn't drown out the actor's voices. When people walk down hallways you can track their movement through the front speakers as well.
The Extras The DVD has several extras. First there are three featurettes. The first, "The Marquis on the Marquee" runs for about seven minutes and thirty seconds. This mainly features brief interviews with the actors, director and writer as why they chose this to do, and how they feel about working with everyone else. It is actually pretty typical. The second, "Creating Charenton" runs just over four minutes and features Martin Child the Production Manger. He talks about creating the look of the insane asylum where the movie takes place. The last featurette is perhaps the most interesting. "Dressing the Part" features Costumer Jacqueline West. She goes over all of the main characters and why she chose what she did for them to wear. Next there are the Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots. Here you will find the original theatrical trailer, the same trailer with Spanish subtitles, and a TV commercial for both the film and the musical score. There is also a Still Gallery of Production Artifacts. These features drawings of props, costumes, and samples of the paper the Marquis has about him. Unfortunately there isn't many of these, but what is there is interesting. The final extra of not is "Fact and Film." It would be wonderful if more films had a section like this, but much more in-depth then the one here. In "Fact and Film" you have a page with a few sentences about the real historical character, and then on the next page a little know fact about the actor that portrays him/her. This provides some interesting historical fact, but leaves you wanting more.
Commentary This is screenwriter Doug Wright's first film. This film is an adaptation of his play. His enthusiasm about working in this new medium is clearly evident in his commentary. He covers everything. He tells you a lot of behind the scene facts and stories. More important than just the interesting stories, we have the screenwriter himself telling us what the theme of the movie ias, what point he is trying to get across, what questions he hopes we ask of ourselves when the film was through. He also goes into great detail about what he thinks of the Marquis de Sade's work, and why he chose him to write about in the first place. Wright also tells us a lot about the historical characters he is portraying and where and why he deviated from history. The only drawbacks is that it is a bit grating when he keeps referring to him as Sade, and you can tell he is very proud of his work. With those two small detractions aside, this is both an enjoyable and informative commentary. In doing his research it is evident that Wright stayed as true as possible to the spirit of his subject.
Final Words: "Quills" was one of the best films of the year, and I fear it was crushed under the weight of the Mirimax machines' Oscar push for "Chocolat." It has one of the most honored casts with two Oscar Winners, Rush Best Actor for "Shine", Caine Best Supporting Actor for "Cider House Rules", and two nominees, Winslet Best Actress Nominee for "Titanic" and Phoenix Best Supporting Actor Nominee for "Gladiator". With a cast like this you expect the best, and that is exactly what you get. The movie alone is worth seeing; many times in fact. With each viewing you pick up on a different glance, meaning, or connection. The commentary is charming, informative and definitely worth listening to. One word of caution though, this film is rated R for a reason. Parents should watch the film first before allowing any children to watch it.


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 May 26, 2001