| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Geoffrey Rush | ... | ||
| Kate Winslet | ... | ||
| Joaquin Phoenix | ... | ||
| Michael Caine | ... | ||
| Billie Whitelaw | ... | ||
| Patrick Malahide | ... |
Delbené
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| Amelia Warner | ... | ||
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Jane Menelaus | ... | |
| Stephen Moyer | ... | ||
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Tony Pritchard | ... |
Valcour
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| Michael Jenn | ... |
Cleante
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Danny Babington | ... |
Pitou
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George Antoni | ... |
Dauphin
(as George Yiasoumi)
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| Stephen Marcus | ... |
Bouchon
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| Elizabeth Berrington | ... | ||
The infamous writer, the Marquis de Sade of 18th Century France, is imprisoned at Charenton Insane Asylum for unmentionable activities. He manages to befriend the young Abbé de Coulmier, who runs the asylum, along with a beautiful laundress named Madeline. Things go terribly wrong when the Abbe finds out that the Marquis' books are being secretly published. The emperor Napoleon contemplates sending Dr. Royer-Collard to oversee the asylum, a man famed for his torturous punishments. It could mean the end of Charenton and possibly the Marquis himself. Written by Emily H and Janette W
A lot of people might have been allured to see this movie for the huge bundle of superb actors and actresses who participated. But what puzzles me is how so many great people incl. the filmmakers could go on such a bizarre project. To portray de Sade as a liberal free-thinker who is punished (because he unfortunately happens to not care about society's standards of that time) is outrageous.
Only a few hints about the true Marquis de Sade are given here and there: for instance, that he violated women against their will, or that his writing was far from outstanding - he became so well known only for his sexually explicit contents. And just as the fake excerpts from his writings in the movie, the content was cruel and inhumane at times.
What was the intention behind making him a far more likable character in the movie? So people would identify more? To prove their point that the stupid public never understood artists and prematurely judge anything apart from their standards as perverse? The only reason this movie deserves two instead of one star is that the actors deliver great performances, especially Rush (as usual), Winslet and Phoenix.
But as for the rest of the movie: BOO HOO. What a waste.