Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer [DVD] [2006]

---

---

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on Patrick Suskind's novel about a serial killer who hunts victims with his superhuman sense of smell, iPerfume: Story of a Murderer/i is a florid, grisly portrayal of this historical drama set in 18th century France. Jean-Baptiste Grunuis (Ben Whishaw) is born under his mother's table at the fish market, onto a pile of muddy fish guts, establishing from the beginning his repulsion for putrid scents. A childhood of neglect and, later, a job at a tannery, encourage Jean-Baptiste to develop his olfactory sense rather than his verbal skills, so that an opportunity to prove his worth to Parisian perfumist, Giuseppe Baldini (Dustin Hoffman), results in his immediate hire into a promising new career. His successes in perfume mixing are negated by a blinding obsession for capturing the sublime beauty of human soul, which in his twisted logic requires the killing of young women to reduce their body fats to essential oils for the ultimate, cannibalised eau de parfum. An omniscient narrator tells the story with much sympathy for Jean-Baptiste's perverted psychology, making it, often, too obvious that his need for love justifies his murderous desire to capture misguided sexual attractions in a vile. Continuous close-ups of Grunius's nose, countered by close-ups of the places and objects he smells, enhance the viewer's understanding of his sensitivity. Repeated comparisons are made between the killer and dogs who aid, then expose his sick experimentation. The settings are fascinating, especially Baldini's perfumery and some later scenes in enflorage factories outside Provence. Whishaw's and Hoffman's performances are both grand. But iPerfume/i unnecessarily spells out Jean-Baptiste's psychosis, squelching any chance for metaphor. This is unfortunate, considering the story's paradoxical nature. As this crude hunter navigates his way through a world of utmost delicacy, one craves ambiguity rather than explanation. i--Trinie Dalton/i

---

Customer reviews

review by: The Recordmart date: 2009-03-21 rating:
Stunningly good
I was not sure but decided to watch it as I had some spare time and what a revelation. A truly sublime piece of film-making that conveyed a taboo topic expertly throughout. Some of the scenes are quite chilling and are expertly portrayed. Wishaw is outstanding and just has that menacing look with boyish innocence that his part needed. Also of note is Hoffman's portrayal of an ageing perfumer, quite comical. br /The ending is stunning, not entirely sure the mass orgy was required but it did add something. br /In conclusion, if you do not watch it then it is your loss.

---

review by: date: 2009-01-16 rating:
Not to be dismissed as an 'average horror film'
I think many commenters have given great reviews but I'm really shocked to see how many people have rated this movie with 1 star. Of course everyone has their own opinion, but from written comments it seems to me that many people who downrated this movie don't actually understand it. It's not supposed to be your regular horror film about a serial killer, and a synopsis that says this does not do it justice. Think more along the lines of something like Frankenstein; it's not just a gore-fest, it has a point! br / br /This film really did make me feel strongly; I was disgusted, sad, moved, thrilled... it really did evoke several emotions and the beautiful filming was a real treat for the senses. br / br /It made me stop and consider ideas about morality and the concept of love. It was a real talking point for my boyfriend and I after we watched it, and two years after first seeing the film it still pops up in conversation and is still a wonderfully thought-provoking piece for analysis and discussion. A film that makes you think is always worth watching.

---

review by: we_like_tha_moon date: 2009-01-10 rating:
A feast for the senses
As someone who is not a fan of period dramas, nor always of book adaptations (as they rarely seem to surpass their source material), I approached Perfume with a degree of trepidation. However, as the credits rolled, I felt that I was still digesting the content of the film before me, with all it's sublime, sumptuous, and frequently disturbing substance. br / br /The plot might scan like a variation on the clichéd serial killer motif: social outcast Grenouille (Winshaw) stalks women to murder them and then, using the methods normally reserved for capturing the scents from flowers, he distills their beautiful odours down to oils which he intends to mix together into the eponymous "Perfume". So far, so quasi-cannibalistic. However, the film excels on a number of levels. br / br /Firstly, the imagery is choice. Director Tom Tykwer literally stuffs the screen full of arresting shots from the sublimely beautiful (blossoms on the wind, moist fruit, wisps of hair) to the gut-turning awful (the opening scene of our antagonists birth in the filthy fish market stands out in mind as one of the most movingly disgusting movie moments in memory). The effect is to create a kind of surrogate sense of smell, where one feels that the feast for the sense on screen is almost being experienced. br / br /Secondly, Bren Winshaw is first rate as central character Grenouille, turning in a performance that at first extracts pity, then horror, anger, fascination, and then finally pity again. It is a multi-layered performance, and one that could well reveal more on repeat viewings. br / br /Finally, the story itself, one of magic realism, primal longing for beauty, and hollow self-loathing resonates deeply as a kind of tragic parable. Grenouille is a man blessed/cursed with an incredible sense of smell, and feels he must hold onto the intoxicating scents of his female victims, but initially cannot, as they are fleeting. He describes the smell of things as being their souls, and yet he himself has no odour - as such he plays out like a hollow non-man searching for something to fill the void within, a kind of 18th Century Travis Bickle without the self-righteous indignation as if imagined by Angela Carter. br / br /"Perfume" then is a feast for the senses, and one which lingers in the mind after the final frame. It's dark as hell, and be aware there is a fairly high level of nudity in here for a 15 certificate. It is also, however, an ever spinning coin, where one side is beautiful and the other nightmarish.

---

review by: date: 2008-09-20 rating:
Not the Book!
People have already mentioned the moral, political and social arguments that could damn this film to the excitable realms of unpopular cult obscure, please ignore them and read the book first, then decide on the film. The film does not and can not (admittedly making a flm about scent must have been a nightmare!) make such an impression on you if you have the read the original. His lack of scent is not emphasised enough, his voluntary isolation is brief and nearly ignored and his reason for the killing is left to the end of the film. In today's society his behaviour is unacceptable and punishable, yet his reason for doing it can be seen by you every day. Why do you like some people and not others?


review by: Mariam Zahedi date: 2008-09-08 rating:
Brilliantly Made, Even If The Story Isn't Exactly What You'd Call Ordinary
My first reaction upon finishing this film was 'What the hell, who on earth comes up with these things'. After all, this film has to be one of the most bizarre things I have ever witnessed in my life. The life story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a poor, awkward, quite and very strange orphan with a highly sensitive sense of smell, who becomes obsessed with the smell of a young lady he accidently killed and spends the rest of his short life trying to re-create it, by killing various other beautiful women to try and capture their smell in a perfume. Told you it was weird, didn't I? br / br /I'd never read the book this film was based on so wasn't sure what to expect, but regardless I had no problem following the story or knowing what was going on. I loved the feel of this film, set in the past in France it felt so authentic you could almost believe that filming had really taken place in such an environment - the costumes and sets were incredibly genuine. The acting as well cannot be faulted - Ben Wishaw does an astounding job portraying Jean-Baptiste (but then again Wishaw has always been excellent in anything I've seen him in) - you do not for a moment doubt that Jean-Baptiste is a real person, never for a second think he is simply an actor playing the part - and considering the role I doubt that was a very easy job. Alan Rickman too does a fantastic job as Richis, infact, there is not a single performance I can fault. br / br /I'm not sure why this film has had so many poor reviews - possibly because the actual plot is so strange and dark, but I personally thought it was brilliant, and will be buying the DVD as soon as I have the money. Definatley worth a watch - just be prepared to expect the unexpected. Brilliantly made, and fantastic to watch. Don't miss out!

---

Similar products

Notes On A Scandal [DVD] [2007]
The Last King Of Scotland [DVD] [2006]
Black Book [2006] [DVD]
The Illusionist [DVD] [2006]
Babel [DVD] [2006]

---

Similar categories

Video . DVD Blu-ray . Categories . Drama
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . DVD
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . BBFC Rating (intended_use_browse-bin) . 15
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Region(feature_browse-bin) . Region 2
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 2000 and later
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English

---