Grenouille – whose mother is hanged shortly after his birth – grows up in an abusive orphanage until he’s old enough to work as a slave of sorts for a leather maker. It makes sense, then, that Grenouille would have an affinity for pleasant smells, and that those pleasant smells must have seemed downright heavenly when you compare them to the stench is which Grenouille was born. Not only can Grenouille recognize fleeting smells from miles away, he can break down any scent into its smallest and most delicate components. Where he’s born isn’t the only thing unique about Grenouille, as he was also gifted (or cursed, depending on your perspective) with a godly sense of smell. Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born in the foulest, most putrid, most horrible-smelling place on Earth, a disgusting fish market in the slums of France.
But the story itself is what I most remember from this movie, as Perfume brings to life a character whose motivations are understandable yet repugnant. The direction is fine, the acting is adequate (except for Alan Rickman who, as always, is superb), and the cinematography, while inconsistent (earlier scenes of the film seem much more polished and purposeful than many of the scenes presented later in the film), is solid.
The real appeal of Perfume – to me, at least – is the fable-like story itself. And really, what fate is worse for a film than being forgettable? Keep reading for the full review some spoilers ahead. The film doesn’t try and cater to the audience’s expectation of what’s appropriate or what a protagonist should be, and the result is a film that, whether you love it or hate it, you will absolutely remember. Directed by Tom Tykwer ( Run Lola Run), Perfume is one of the most original stories I’ve seen in a long time. I don’t recall hearing about this movie when it was released in the United States, which I suppose I can attribute to Perfume being a German film. It’s been awhile since I’ve written a review as part of our “Movie Vault” category, but Perfume: The Story of a Murdererwas such an unexpected, unusual experience that I felt obliged.
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