Quills
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 31
  3. Negative: 3 out of 31
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  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    Finds a tone that remains more entertaining than depressing, more absorbing than alarming.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    90
    A savage comedy of sexual extremes; the barbed laughs draw blood.
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  3. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    88
    This playful, immensely entertaining movie knows that art is in the eye of the beholder.
  4. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    100
    Kaufman's startling Quills gives us an anatomy of fear, images both silken swift and molten hot, scenes that disrupt and inflame the imagination.
  5. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    90
    It's an unapologetic dazzler, which is why it's never overwhelmed by its themes.
  6. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    88
    Uniformly robust acting puts still more feathers in the caps of Rush, Winslet and Caine.
  7. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Stephen Hunter
    90
    Profane, sacrilegious, pornographic, sadistic and Sade-istic, titillating and the most honorable movie of the year.
  8. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Jay Carr
    88
    A witty yet fiery and, in the best sense, provocative play of ideas about freedom of expression.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. Andys_Reviews
    7
    A pretty well made film with some excellent performances, particularly from Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslet. It did, however, seem incomplete; there were a couple of threads that didn’t seem to tie up. I was interested in the story of the doctor’s wife and also the wife of the Marquis. Both of these characters came and went without any reference to them again; I found that a little odd. I have never read any of the works of the Marquis de Sade, but having seen this I’m tempted to take a look and see if it’s really as depraved as they say. As for the film, definitely worth a look although I did find it a tad drawn out and a tad too long.

    SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

    My score: 7.1/10    … Full Review »
  2. RegOz
    8
    This movie is delightful! ...not quite sure what Todd (below) means by referring to Tom Cruise for he is not there. This movie is engaging, touching, humorous, and clever. The Art direction is fantastic; the performances outstanding, the ambience feels real! Each time I watch it I enjoy it as I did the first time. It is not a 10, not even a 9 -not to me- but Less than an 8? I don't think so! If you haven't watch it, and you can find it, do see it...you will have the last word.… Full Review »
  3. JayH.
    6
    Exquisitely produced, excellent acting by all, especially Geoffrey Rush, Joaquin Phoenix and Kate Winslet. The costumes and sets are outstanding. However, I found it very talky and often tedious and I was downright bored at times. Yak yak yak yak.… Full Review »
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