Quills vs. The Libertine

[The Poetic Protégée]

I remember way back when the Libertine was still on its first release date (yes, that long ago!), I read somewhere that it was going to be a hit with fans of the film 'Quills.' So I did what all aspiring Angel's would do and got my hands on a copy of Quills, and guess what? I became a fan ;D (this does have a point, I promise!).

In case you don't know, Quills is the story of the graphic novelist, the Marquis de Sade, played by the great Geoffrey Rush, and his effect on the people around him. Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix and Micheal Caine are in it too...all legends ;D Please don't read on if you haven't seen the film because there'll be spoilers!

So, I was wondering if anyone else had thoughts about the similarities between the two films...which one's 'worse' in terms of depravity? I've got my ideas on the subject, just wonder what other people think .

Quills/Libertine connections

• Clearly, both films explore the darker side of human...relations (trying to find ways to get round the censor!)
  
• Both the Earl and the Marquis love to shock people with their writing, and delight in the spectacle of having their work performed/read.
  
• They both had wives that stood by them (admittedly, the poor wives had little to no choice in the matter but still...)
  
• They are both involved in deaths of people they love (Libertine = Billy Downs; Quills - Madeline)
  
• Both men are beseeched upon repeatedly to stop their path of destruction and use their talents for different purposes, but neither listens.
  
• Both films have strong religious themes. The difference being that the Earl converts and the Marquis....well, anyone who's seen the end of the film will know what he does
  
• Both men are dead by the end of the film...and neither of them has a smooth exit
  
  

I'll have to draw up a list of differences between the two films but that will do for now. So, anyone got any thoughts?

[The Symbolic Sacrifice]

Never thought about it in the terms of the sameness, even though you've
listed some and I agree with what you've written, there are similarities.

I wonder what century Quills was set it?

The 'closed in' context of Quills made it a totally different film for me,
as the Marquis was there against his will.

The Earl did things freely once his banishment was over, what did he do
during his banishment? Just get married? Did his genuis shine through
at that point in his life?

Brings about lots of question Jay, must think on it some more.

~SS~

[The Poetic Protégée]

To the best of my knowledge Quills is set in the early 19th century...so later than the Libertine.

The Earl did things freely once his banishment was over, what did he do
during his banishment? Just get married? Did his genuis shine through
at that point in his life?

I presume you mean the banishment referred to at the beginning of the film, after the less than flattering monarchy poem...he didn't get married during the time of that banishment, in fact he didn't get married during any banishment. He was arrested for the abduction of Elizabeth Malet. But, rather obviously, he was released and two years later he married her.

There was never a point in his life when he was acknowledged as a genius without everything else in his life overshadowing, if that makes sense. People were very reluctant to speak well of him, especially considering his tempestuous relationship with the King but some did.

(Love your avi/siggy combo, SS! ;D)