Lumsdal
Good , But It Is Overrated By Some
RipDelight
This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.
sgcim
This movie presented De Sade as a heck of a good guy. Hell, I feel like giving him a ring and asking him over for beer and chips. He had a great sense of humor, was a committed artist, hated censorship, and even saved a woman's life while risking his own, by blowing away a few guys with a gun! Although this runs counter to everything I've ever read or heard about him, you'll have a great time watching the Marquis torture and humiliate a few great looking women (who eventually fall in love with him, of course,)crack a bunch of great jokes, and be just an all-around great guy as he makes his mark in history in the France of that time period.
hellraiser40
quoted as an erotic drama, i found this actually a funny film. i don't doubt it has some sort of unraveling about this famous character in history, but Nick Mancuso acts in such a way that you just can't stop to gniffle and smile. sorry to say to the people who think this is acted seriously, but he reminded me of a 18th century Al Bundy!!!but therefore this film is guaranteed to have you hooked for it's time.
seanzo
This film presents a wildly inaccurate portrayal of the historical De Sade ( - even getting his name wrong ...Donatien Aldonse, not Donatien Alphonse, is the man's correct name.) And it is a shame as De Sade is a richly complex character who, when honestly examined, illuminates a time of great change in france's opinions of madness, justice, priviledge and morality. This film-maker's treatment of history resemble's that of Winston's in the correction room at the ministry of truth in Orwell's 1984. This film approches the nadir of the continuing misunderstanding of genius right along side Mickey Rourkes portrayal of Charles Bukowski as Snagglepuss the Effeminant Beatnik Lion in the otherwise enjoyable movie, Barfly. All that aside, the film does serve as an occasion for some arousing nude photography and the depiction of erotic scenes of humiliation and torture. The women used for the elegant opening credit sequence are voluptous and beautifully depicted and certainly worth the price of a rental.
Sepia-3
This role may be one of Nick Mancuso's best. He finally seems as though the character fits into his skin, and his lines are not forced or hazy in any way. The script leaves little to be desired in the way of a plot and dialogue, truly. It isn't historically accurate, but that isn't the point. For a movie with an X-rating, it struck me as suprisingly witty and deep at some times. If you can find it, it's a good way to spend an evening.