Quills' is neither shocking or titillating, just embarrassing. And it sounds like Oscar material. By contrast, Caine coasts in a one-note role. Still, the actors aren't the culprits.
Tongues get cut off, a woman gets brutally murdered, a sane priest goes mad with operatic anguish.
Maybe the Marquis would approve. The film simply needs more discipline. Kaufman revels in his rabble a bit too much. Just a bit embarrassed for everyone involved.