For the most part, we end up being mildly entertained by the lovely art direction and camera work. Any discourse about the nature of evil is lost in the spectacle. Quills , on the other hand, attempting to explore many complex themes, including the consequences of evil and the urge toward art, is remarkable for its very lightness. And it is so deftly told that we are swept through the film and its dense content with relatively little effort. Royer-Collard's presence is met with resistance which is, in turn, met with more cruelty and control measures, and the conflict spirals into an ultimately tragic end.
Quills acts both as an intriguing story and an allegory about art.
It is by turns hilarious and horrifying. In every instance, the underlying theme of the dangers of suppression is respected but is not allowed to deaden the flow. Rush, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, is spectacularly foul, and Phoenix, Caine and Winslet all provide intelligent, compelling supporting performances. Doom Revisited Jack Nicholson proves once again that he can do more than smirk and wax evil or neurotic in Sean Penn's dark tale of certain doom, The Pledge. Heavy Metal Charm Rock Star does a neat trick of giving the people what they want.