Quills

If you want a drama that takes its characters as seriously as its plot, Quills is available in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Hoopla right now. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Geoffrey Rush — one of the stronger performances out there right now. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Quills is worth clearing space for. The writing in Quills treats its characters as people first, plot devices second. In early 19th-century France, the Marquis de Sade is confined to an asylum where his forbidden writings continue to circulate beyond its walls. As the authorities tighten control, a clash unfolds between the Marquis’ unyielding imagination, the reformist ideals of the Abbé in charge, and the repressive measures of a doctor sent to silence him. Desire, power, and censorship collide in a battle over freedom of expression. Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslet lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2000. What elevates Quills is a refusal to let any character off the hook too easily. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For anyone looking for storytelling that takes its characters seriously, Quills delivers. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Geoffrey Rush carries the material with a performance that rewards close attention. Worth starting sooner rather than later.