My name is Violet, I'm 19 and I'm an Graphic Design Student.
My name is Violet, I'm 19 and I'm an Graphic Design Student.
Member since:08.05.2009
Reviews:13
Members who trust:1
Ben Whishaw plays the main role of Jean-Baptiste Grénouille in this film Perfume. He is a genius, a monster, and a murderer. This film is revolting, yet somehow remains beautifully poetic. The opening scene is brutal, and disturbing. Jean-Baptiste Grénouille’s mother gives birth to him under her market stall and then leaves him there for dead. There is something odd about this boy, his intense sense of smell, which frightens those around him, and alienates him from any kind of society. Before he is one there are two attempts on his life, but he is a hardy character and manages to survive, until he finds his true calling, perfumery. But this man is also a murderer. He will do anything to achieve his goal of capturing scent. He can’t help but follow his nose, desperate to capture all the different smells in his world. It seems like it should hard to like Jean-Baptiste, but I felt myself relating to him in a twisted way. He is relatable for his alienation and his loneliness, which everyone feels in their lives, but he is also something beyond human nature that no one could possibly understand.
The photography
in this film is spectacular, the lighting is so important in this film in setting the tone of the mood. The women are portrayed so artistically and delicately, in contrast to the brutality of their deaths. But then they live on in the perfume that is created so their beauty lives on; the essence of their being still exists. I also thought the costume was great. A lot of research had obviously gone into 18th century French attire for this film, and although the majority of the film is set in the poorest parts of society, so the clothes are simple, the attention to detail is wonderful. The film recreates the dirty, smelly atmosphere of the period, and you see a strong contrast of places in society, the difference between the poor and the rich.
Rachel Hurd-Wood, who plays Laura Jean-Baptiste’s last victim, is absolutely stunning. She has a beautiful refined quality to her features, and is completely charming. Even in death her beauty prevails her. She plays her part brilliantly, showing the innocence of a child that is really believable, but also the naivety of youth, where she doesn’t realize the own danger of her beauty. Her death is the climax of the film, and her motionless figure could be a painting rather than a corpse.
Alan Rickman is a world-class actor and he plays his part flawlessly. He is the father of Laura, desperately trying to keep his beloved alive. I think he portrayed the character perfectly, you really feel his anguish and his love for Laura, the only person he has left in the world to care for. His anger at her killer is also wonderfully acted; he creates truly terrifying rage at Jean-Baptiste.
The theme of perfume is a very unusual concept, and a very interesting subject. You learn a lot about how perfume is made, and because it is teamed with murder, it makes it a most interesting subject. Another contrast is created by the perfume of classes of society; the rich bathe in wonderful scents, whilst the poor are exposed to everything revolting. It also exposes the frivolous nature of the upper classes at the time, spending money on luxury items and having the time to spend a day in a perfume shop, rather than working.
The extras on the DVD are also excellent. The making of documentary is really interesting and goes into so much detail about the film. It gives you information about the author of the original novel (Patrick Süskind) and his reluctance to sell the rights to film. There is also detailed description about the location of sets and the attention to detail applied in these locations, to make it realistic to 18th century France. I found it very interesting to watch the extras on this DVD. Sometimes I find when you know all the ins and outs of how a film was created, you loose some of the magic when you re-watch it. But I think these extras were done in such a caring way, it only adds to the interest and glory of the film; and really show it was a film made lovingly.
This is such a sad but brilliant film. It is graphic and violent, but it is done with such a delicate balance between the artistic and the grim. It’s also a very weird film, and I think unless you are into stranger arty films you won’t really see the point of it, or enjoy it. But I would recommend that everyone should try watching it once, seeing it is so very different from any other film of its kind.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1945 - Drama - Director: David Lean - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey, Cyril Raymond
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
That was a good review of a film that I must have missed along the way. I am like you, I am not really interested in the extras, as it takes something away from the escapism of the film.
Hishyeness 09.05.2009 09:47
A nice review of the film, but as its supposed to be a review of the DVD, I would have liked to have seen some information about what is on it (extras, making of, trailers, commentary etc.) and whether its any good. Happy to return and re-rate if you get round to editing it in later. Cheers. 8^)
Based on Patrick Suskind's novel about a serial killer who hunts victims with his ... more
superhuman sense of smell,Perfume: Story of a Murdereris a florid, grisly portrayal of this historical drama set in 18th century France. Jean-Baptiste Grunuis (Ben Whisha...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Based on Patrick Suskind's novel about a serial killer who hunts victims with his ... more
superhuman sense of smell,Perfume: Story of a Murdereris a florid, grisly portrayal of this historical drama set in 18th century France. Jean-Baptiste Grunuis (Ben Whisha...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: It looks wonderful and Whishaw's central performance is remarkable. Disadvantages: You can't capture the essence of smell on screen, so the film doesn't work.
![Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer [DVD] [2006]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78097360.jpg "Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer [DVD] [2006]")
May 9th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
