Her partner in escapades of pleasure and pain has betrayed her. Now, she watches the blood drip from the guillotine's blade. It won't be long before her severed head tumbles into the basket at her feet. A horrific beginning gives Kaufman's Quills the surreal intensity of an old, Italian horror movie. But there is something substantial and remarkable in its adult storytelling.
Quills creates an enticing, seamy and frantic story about the extremes of human behavior.
Still, there is something worthy and honorable about Sade's battles to expose society's hypocrisies in sexual matters. Granted, the film's drama focuses on a literary artist's ability to shock. In these conservative times, Sade's story is as relevant as ever. Maddie's is a hard life. Her perk is collecting the linens from Charenton's most infamous occupant, Sade.