Is Marquis de Sade’s Prosperities of Vice Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1988)

📖 The Core Premise

Marquis de Sade’s Prosperities of Vice returns to the screen in 1988, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama, Thriller genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "A decadent count in 1920′s Japan becomes obsessed with the life and works of the Marquis de Sade. He creates a theatre to show plays adapted from the notorious writer’s novels and recruits thieves, prostitutes and low lives to act out his fantasies on stage for the delectation of his rich, jaded friends. In search of new sensations the nobleman orders one of the actors, on pain of death, to make love to the nobleman’s wife while he watches. Unfortunately, this incursion of real life into his fantasy world will have dire consequences for the count and his divinely decadent coterie."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Yasumi Hara feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Marquis de Sade’s Prosperities of Vice worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Thriller films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Marquis de Sade’s Prosperities of Vice misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 96 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.