Sade (2000)

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Blistering performances.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

a must see movie to (re)discover the real sweet and human philosophy of le marquis de sade.the duo auteuil/jacquot builds the simplest and the finest image of should have be the true donatien alphonse françois de sade. DVD bonus provides multiple interesting point of view of the team interviews. direction by benoit jacquot is simple and historically and in context very sharp. It's more than a movie because it makes you understand the enormous paradox between the word "sadic" and one of our gentle , humanist , coherent , true, realist philosopher we ever had .

This movie allows the French to give their own version of Sade and is historically accurate to the extent that it contains references to Sade's actual beliefs, as they appeared in print, and events in his life that have been corroborated. Sade turns out to be a thoughtful, philosophical man who looks at life head-on without illusions about the supernatural; moreover, the Sade of this movie is remarkably free from malice, cruelty and resentment.The script is well thought out, offering every point of view, and depicts some wonderful tender moments when he bids farewell to his protégé who similarly returns his affections with substance and sincerity, for she has undergone 'a learning experience'. No sign of wanton cruelty or mindless prurience there.Splendid acting, thoroughly believable characters, each individual a depiction of concord or dissent, the film shows every opinion circulating during the Revolution. The story does not portray 'the seduction of a young girl' for she is totally willing to accede to Sade's predilections and simply wants to experience life - that which her class and religion has denied her - before joining her ex-nobles at the guillotine.There are very few pictures of Sade that remain and it is difficult to assess how his physiognomy was representative of his disposition. Was he a besotted blockhead or just an unusual philosopher? Anyone who looks into the history of Sade's life is surprised by just how un-monstrous he turns out to be. Generous, tolerant and life-affirming, Sade was more simply a libertine - one who regards freedom of sexual expression a desirable thing and encourages people to get acquainted with their animal passions. His matter-of-fact atheism and his love of nature make him a very likable man - far preferable to the unhealthy vengeful Christianity that loves sending unbelievers to hell and eternal torment - for there be another version of sadism, indeed.And concerning sado-masochism, who amongst us has not enjoyed a massage that was a bit too strong, or a little spanky-panky in their sex life? Sade does not advocate thoughtless cruelty and his sex acts are strictly consensual among those with eclectic tastes. Hm-mm.

i finally got the chance to watch this flick and it was OK. the story is fine and some interesting moments.but the performances were so weak and Boring. they all looked like they were asleep, especially the actor actor who played the marquise.he didn't show emotion and he doesn't have the charisma and personality to play Sade.Geoffreys performance in Quills may have been a little inaccurate but it still was much better and entertaining.not only Geoffrey was better also Kate Winslet as The Marquie's muse.another problem in this movie well there is not a memorable villain like Michael Caine

It is hard to rate a film about Marquis de Sade without being preoccupied in any way. For instance, compared to "Goya en Burdeos" this film performed much better in drawing a historical context for a historical character. But I would still expect more than that from a film about de Sade. Despite the very good acting, original sets and costumes, and a coherent script, there was something missing. De Sade's known main characteristic are his sexual notions, and those have been hidden in innuendos. It was an attempt to portray de Sade without showing sexual excesses, but you cannot discuss a controversial character without disclosing the reasons for the controversy. To those who are not familiar with de Sade, I would recommend reading a brief description of him in an encyclopedia before seeing the film.