An unstable private investigator suddenly awakens on a subway train to find himself plunging deeper and deeper into a nightmare... that may very well be of his own making.。After his involuntary retirement, Jesse Stone investigates the suspicious death of a young friend while the Paradise police force deals with the arrogant new chief, who is the son-in-law of a town councilman. Tom Selleck returns as Paradise's anguished former Chief of Police, Jesse Stone, in his most gripping mystery yet. Cindy Van Aldan was like a daughter to Jesse. Now she's ...。萨德(乔弗瑞•拉什Geoffrey Rush饰)是19世纪的法国作家。他才高八斗,崇尚言论自由,小说中有不少情色描写。这些作品激怒了法国当局,政府把他关入疯人院,然而,专制的枷锁只令到萨德更坚定地奋笔疾书,作品在疯人院里一部一部的诞生。
疯人院的主管是一个开明的年轻神父。他也读萨德的小说,对萨德的才华和精神充满欣赏。他对萨德提供优厚的生活条件,让他专心写作,同时让洗衣女梅德林(凯特•温斯莱特Kate Winslet饰)帮助萨德,把他的作品带到外面出版。梅德林与萨德之间也暗生情愫。
然而,强大的国家机器还是将萨德送上了绞刑架。政府容忍不了他“伤风败俗”,但他的作品却流传了下来,开启了民众的思想。。