Quills (2000)

Following in the twisted footsteps of Sheldon Pearson in I, Marquis de Sade (1967), Klaus Kinski in Marquis de Sade’s Justine (1969) and Nick Mancuso in Marquis de Sade (1996) is Geoffrey Rush in Quills (2000). But unlike the previous performers, the latter actor nabbed an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of the famed freak Marquis de Sade. Based on Doug Wright’s Obie award-winning play, this R rated biopic offers a fictionalized account of the 18th century French nobleman’s final years. According to this story, Monsieur de Sade’s radical politics, extreme pornographic writings and penchant for whipping prostitutes has gotten him thrown into the Charanton Insane Asylum. Here, he passes the time by staging his plays with the other inmates. And when the Marquis isn’t cavorting with sexy staffer Madeleine “Maddy” LeClerc (Kate Winslet), he’s battling wits with Abbé du Coulmier (Joaquin Phoenix), Dr. Royer-Collard (Michael Caine), and Renée Pelagie (played by Rush’s real life wife Jane Menelaus). The movie also includes Jamie Dornan’s real life wife Amelia Warner as well as Billie Whitelaw, Elizabeth Berrington, Patrick Malahide, Ron Cook, Stephen Marcus, Stephen Moyer, and Geoffrey’s flesh. The leading man shows off his acting chops as well as his naked chest, bare butt, pubes, balls and cock! If that’s not arousing enough, Guerin (Daniel Ainsleigh) and Louison (Toby Sawyer) reveal their abs, gams, and kinky sides as they make a skin sandwich with Michette (Rebecca Palmer) in bed. Of course, this begs the question: someone order extra mayo?