Not that different from any other reasonably good bodice ripper, and nowhere near the best of them.
Nice costumes, sets, nice 'play within a play'. The fact that it's a De Sade biopic seems easy to forget...somehow it just becomes yet another period piece. I think the lack of external world scenes detracts from the film (almost entirely set inside the asylum) and makes it seem like a filmed play.
Joachim Phoenix seems strangely wasted, miscast. Geoff Rush is alright, but lacks something... I suspect there are others who could make the role more believable. Michael Caine is ordinary, as is much of his late work. Kate Winslet is a standout and once she uh exits the film, it ceases to hold much interest.
Nice costumes, sets, nice 'play within a play'. The fact that it's a De Sade biopic seems easy to forget...somehow it just becomes yet another period piece. I think the lack of external world scenes detracts from the film (almost entirely set inside the asylum) and makes it seem like a filmed play.
Joachim Phoenix seems strangely wasted, miscast. Geoff Rush is alright, but lacks something... I suspect there are others who could make the role more believable. Michael Caine is ordinary, as is much of his late work. Kate Winslet is a standout and once she uh exits the film, it ceases to hold much interest.