I would love to see a thought-provoking look into the life and works of Marquis De Sade, not this average, boring portrayal of one of the most controversial writers in history.

F3 -- Fucking fantastic film. Michael Caine and Geoffrey Rush should be in every film together. Sexually explorative and beautiful in its simplicity and naturalism, with one of the most compelling anti-heroes (the Marquis de Sade) in literature. "I write of the great eternal truths that bind all mankind, the world over. We eat, we shit, we fuck, we kill and we die."

Impressive acting!

Blazingly good performances by Geoffrey Rush and Joaquin "Bye Good" Phoenix make this a perennially worthwhile movie, even if it's not always the most comfortable thing to watch.

second watch. poor & careless acting and production, but votes for marque

Joaquin Pheonix is the WORST.

A bunch of stunning performances & an interesting story make this surprisingly watchable. It manages a fine line between exuberant, cruel, & not taking itself too seriously. Not as sexual as one might hope for or expect, still Kate brings some heat (& her naked breasts) to the screen, Geoffrey does some non-sexual full frontal work, & Joaquin gets to play a more positive character. The fascination with Sade's work is well developed & not candy coated.

Excelente filme, com uma atuação perfeita de Geoffrey Rush, filme marcante.

Anyone who rents this expecting to be aroused will be sorely disappointed.

* Casting, Acting : 9 * Script : 8 * Directing, Aura : 7 * Ease of Viewing : 10 * Naked Eye : 9

Sexy, sensual, horrifying, moving, an absolutle riveter of a film, impeccable acting

Rush plays a damn good pervert.

The Marquis de Sade was an incredibly interesting and complicated man; this film does him the extreme disservice of portraying him as an absurd caricature. It's understandable that films tend to stretch the truth for dramatic effect, but every conceivable thing about this film is historically inaccurate to the point that it makes a mockery of fictional storytelling, even the falsehoods do nothing to enhance the story due to their sheer insipidness. It's a completely pathetic melodrama.