Perfume: The Story of a Murderer screams for and smells of Oscar. I went into this film at Paramount Studios completely blind last night. I had seen the novel of the same name, read the jacket and thought to myself; interesting. Truly, I had no idea what kind of visceral gem this film was going to be.
The story is about Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born with no smell, he develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world’s finest perfumes. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he searches for the ultimate scent. (source: imdb.com)
Given the above plot summary, this film will most likely be misinterpreted and overlooked by the general public if they’re not familiar with the novel. The novel’s author on the other hand is an odd character like the lead in the film. Patrick has never given an interview in the past 20 years and there are only 3 published photos of him. Strange but true, Kurt Cobain was so inspired by this novel that he wrote a song entitled Scentless Apprentice.
Tom Tykwer of Run Lola Run fame has crafted a brilliant masterpiece that resonates and terrifies more than Hannibal Lecter in Jonathan Demme’s film adaptation of Thomas Harris’ Silence of the Lambs. Where “Silence” failed, Perfume transcends and gives viewers a genuinely horrifying and visceral feast in the vein of Amelie.
Words cannot describe this film. I went to sleep and my dreams were haunted by visions of Grenouille as he lurked in the darkness. The film opens with a pair of the most menacing eyes to fill the screen since Peter Lorre’s eyes did decades ago. Grenouille is in prison and we hear a mob screaming for him outside. Police enter his cell, drag him out and announce how they’re going to execute him the next day. From here, the narrative flashes back and John Hurt’s voice guides us through the birth of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille and his youth.
Tykwer has a peculiar way of allowing the audience to smell what Grenouille smells through the screen by showing us an appreciation for what we take advantage of each and every day; our nose. I swear while watching this, I began to smell things that I have never noticed before. The film paints a beautiful canvas of showing, not telling, how strange and terrifying Grenouille is but at the same time, Tykwer allows us to love and fear him too. Not since watching The Day of the Jackal have I been so mesmerized by a villain. Reflecting back on the Jackal, I remember secretly wanting Edward Fox (the jackal) to succeed with his mission especially in that scene where he was adjusting the sights on his rifle and finally shoots the dangling melon.
The story gets darker with each passing frame. By the time Grenouille is fully grown, his piercing eyes are able to rip straight through one’s soul. He has a sociopathic way about him like Anthony Hopkins had in “Silence”. Grenouille charms his way into people’s lives and there never is a happy end for any of them. His ultimate goal is to capture the scent of life and the only way he can do this is by murder.
I know what you’re thinking…this is sick! It is and it isn’t. The sweeping cinematography and music and choices that Tykwer makes are a sight to behold. On one hand I was thinking how scary this film is and how beautiful it is.
Dustin Hoffman is outstanding as a dated perfumer named Baldini in Paris that becomes the mentor to Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. Alan Rickman gives a tour-de-force performance as the father of the beautiful Rachel Hurd-Wood. Rachel’s talent in this shines through with a simple stare and no words are spoken as she proves that her range is a force to reckon with.
I hate reading reviews that rip apart the very essence of a film. Hence, the lacking details in this one. I implore you to run and see this film when it opens and avoid the hype once the academy announces it as a Best Picture Nominee next February.
This film is not to be missed. And a final message to Tom Tykwer, please do not wait so long to direct another film. The world is ready for your vision.
Smell you later, gator.
– Jack Reher
Release Date: December 27, 2006 (limited)
Studio: Dreamworks Pictures & Constantin Films
Director: Tom Tykwer
Screenwriter: Tom Tykwer, Andrew Birken, Bernd Eichinger. Based on the novel by Patrick Süskind
Starring: Jean-Baptiste Grenouille – Ben Whishaw; Giuseppe Baldini – Dustin Hoffman; Antoine Richis – Alan Rickman; Laura Richis – Rachel Hurd-Wood; The Plum Girl – Karoline Herfurth
Narrated by: John Hurt
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
