Quills

In the late 1700s, France was plagued by societal constraints, rigid class structures, and a general aversion to anything deemed "morally corrupt." Within the walls of the Charenton Asylum, a notorious prison-turned-madhouse, the Marquis de Sade is held captive by the authorities, deemed a madman for his unconventional thoughts and actions. However, it's not just his outrageous behavior that earns him this label – it's also the graphic, erotic literature he pens in his spare moments. The Marquis, played by Geoffrey Rush, is a master wordsmith, weaving tales that are both captivating and unsettling, sparking both fascination and horror. Meanwhile, Abbe de Coulmier, the benevolent yet struggling priest, has taken charge of the Charenton Asylum. Despite the institution's harsh policies and limitations, de Coulmier seeks to establish a sense of community and compassion among the inmates. His vision is at odds with that of the institution's strict authorities, who prioritize punishment over rehabilitation. De Coulmier believes that by creating an environment of respect and understanding, he can rehabilitate the troubled minds within his care. Aiding the asylum's inhabitants, including the Marquis, is a stunning laundry maid named Madeleine. Her quiet strength, intelligence, and compassion set her apart from her peers, and she soon becomes an invaluable ally to de Coulmier and the Marquis. Madeleine harbors no illusions about the bleak conditions within the asylum, but she's driven by a deep affection for those around her and a desire to protect them from the cruelty and injustices that surround them. The Marquis's graphic writings – which have earned him the title of "Inventor of Excess" – find their way out of the asylum through the clandestine efforts of Madeleine, who secretly smashes them into pieces in the prison gardens, before hiding them away inside a book. The fragments of the manuscript are smuggled to a printer, who discreetly prints them for the general public. The explicit tales begin circulating among the French populace, capturing the imagination of those desperate for something new and different in the stagnant society. As news of the Marquis's publications spreads, France becomes fixated on the graphic and often disturbing writings. The general public is torn between disgust and fascination, but one man, Dr. Royer-Collard, is resolved to put an end to the whole debacle. Dr. Collard, played by Steve Coogan, is an ambitious and zealous man, deeply committed to ridding France of what he considers moral corruption. His views are conservative and strict, and he sees the Marquis as a major threat to the social order. In the midst of this maelstrom, alliances form and fray. Madeleine and the Marquis's connection grows stronger, while de Coulmier's compassion and the Marquis's literary talents are pitted against Dr. Collard's relentless determination to silence the Inquisitive writer. As tensions escalate, Madeleine becomes embroiled in a delicate game of cat-and-mouse, with both sides vying for control over the Marquis's manuscripts. Her loyalty to de Coulmier and the Marquis drives her actions, but the harsh realities of her world threaten to overwhelm her at every turn. Throughout it all, the film's themes explore the complex interplay between censorship, artistic freedom, and social control. The Marquis de Sade's works serve as a catalyst for the tumultuous events, sparking heated debates and igniting passions in all who read them. Quills, as a movie, presents the Marquis de Sade as a figure of enigmatic and conflicted nature, whose words and actions raise difficult questions about the nature of art, morality, and the boundaries of free expression.