-*-*-*-*-Historic Information and Plot-*-*-*-*-
Paris, 1794. Begins with a story of a prisoner during execution following to a brief introduction to the situation/location of the Marquis de Sade.
Historically the Marquis was known as Donatien Alphonse François (1740-1814), whose most famous piece written was 'Justine' (now a film itself)
.
The story brings the audience to the lavishly decorated prison cell of the Marquis in the Mental Asylum of 'Charenton' in France where he worked on an array of books and volumes, many which he didn't complete and many which have never been published or produced.

Throughout this historic portrayal are many elements of significant value such as the first pornographic stylised literature along with the methods used to restrain the prisoners of Charenton.
It goes without saying that this film is indeed full of elements not for the faint hearted or easily embarrassed.

-*-*-Marquis De Sade - Geoffrey Rush
The character of the Marquis is without a doubt definitely one of those characters which couldn't have had a better person to play it. Geoffrey Rush creates this off-beat character afraid of nothing, willing to share his thoughts and very witty indeed. He provides such a great performance which goes to show for the nominated academy awards.
The way he moves around and acts this character is such a great insight he seems to provide the audience with a dark extent of he Marquis' life in such a way you even feel sorry for him.
His costume and movement, expressions and voice all fit in for the witty yet mysterious character that the Marquis is and helps to provide the difference needed between his so called 'problem' and that of the other prisoners such as Bouchon and Dauphin.

-*-*-Abbe de Coulmier - Joaquin Phoenix
Phoenix plays a great part in this film and keeps his 'important part' styled acting throughout. From historic research I've found that the Marquis did actually befriend an Abbe (or priest) and therefore his role is quite large in this film.
His acting shows huge differenced in emotion and this is true to most of his films from the Village and Gladiator to Signs, the important roles of leading characters there to make a difference. You can't help but fall for him in this film (unless of course you're a guy) as he wants to help everyone and finally finds that his true destiny is to be with Madeleine.

-*-*-*-*-My Views-*-*-*-*-
I've watched this film several times especially for its complete difference to one heck of a lot of films. Its got the historical value to back it up and it portrayed by some great actors which I find is one of the key pointers for a good film.
It has dark and meaningful expressions that really make you realise what life was really about and proves that today's world isn't as strict and powerful as it is today.
It does display a lot of nudity and explicit stuff but this is the Marquis de Sade we're talking about and that has to be expected.
For the last 20 years of the Marquis' life this film depicts the turmoil and anger he must have felt throughout and to compare to how we live today it means that if we went back in time everyone would be classed as crazy!
If you're wanting a film that means something, one that will really involve you and lead you into somewhere that films haven't explored before then this film is fantastic. The plot is easy going and easy to understand with a linear style narrative to guide you along the way. It contains so many elements that mean something rather than finding out the life of the chambermaid, for example, small segments of information are dropped in. I believe that this film does the Marquis de Sade some justice and it goes without saying that it is full of sex related topics, but you've got to expect that!