Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006) Reviews
- Starring:
- Ben Whishaw, Alan Rickman, (more)
- Director(s):
- Tom Tykwer
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Foreign, Mystery & Suspense
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
22 out of 25 people found this review helpful A good adaptation of the novel, though a bit overly long. I found the whole subject matter a bit disturbing, but it all comes together well at the end. Some may feel that the film ended once to many ... Read More A good adaptation of the novel, though a bit overly long. I found the whole subject matter a bit disturbing, but it all comes together well at the end. Some may feel that the film ended once to many times and could have been cut to just about 2 hours. Good use of location and costumes, with a dark and moody soundtrack, Perfume may appeal to those who loved the book. The casual viewer, however, may not find it as enjoyable. Ben Whishaw gives an outstanding performance as Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
14 out of 19 people found this review helpful I whole-heartedly agree with the other reviewers. This movie was dark and gross but yet with beautifully cinematography and great acting. The lead actor played his role magnificantly...he was ... Read More I whole-heartedly agree with the other reviewers. This movie was dark and gross but yet with beautifully cinematography and great acting. The lead actor played his role magnificantly...he was creepy but yet not too creepy. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful In 1700s Paris a woman gives birth in her fish vendor's booth. She kicks the baby away to be thrown in with the fish entrails; her other babies were born dead, but this one is a fighter. Growing up ... Read More In 1700s Paris a woman gives birth in her fish vendor's booth. She kicks the baby away to be thrown in with the fish entrails; her other babies were born dead, but this one is a fighter. Growing up in an orphanage with no education or kindness, his only happiness is his secret gift: a sense of smell so discerning that he is bombarded with scent every moment, even of âscentlessâ things. The penultimate joy of it is the scent of a woman - not the unwashed peasant sort, but the clean scent of a high-born lady. His quest to preserve it forever leads him to a perfumer who teaches him the skill while receiving formulas for luscious perfumes in return. But never having been loved and unable to love, the young man does not reconcile his passion for a certain scent with the evil he does to obtain it. The atmosphere, period detail and visuals are so perfect that the stench of the poor section of Paris almost emanates from the screen, as compared to the beauty of the world of the privileged. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful This movie was compelling and visually stunning throughout. The depiction of 18th century France was an absolute triumph of cinematography. It was well cast, with Ben Whishaw bringing the seductive ... Read More This movie was compelling and visually stunning throughout. The depiction of 18th century France was an absolute triumph of cinematography. It was well cast, with Ben Whishaw bringing the seductive creepiness of the main character to life - his obsession completely free of moral reservations. The only drawback to the film is the ending, which completely derailed the plot. Everything in the film reflected the gritty, harsh realities of the times and of his obsession, right down to the technical details of collecting and distilling the scents; but the end was pure fantasy - and ultimately not only unsatisfying, but unresolved. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful The storyline, characters and scene were excellent. The movie's overall theme about trying to be loved and popular by everyone was touching. The way in which Whishaw's character acted and killed ... Read More The storyline, characters and scene were excellent. The movie's overall theme about trying to be loved and popular by everyone was touching. The way in which Whishaw's character acted and killed his victims gives a resemblance to Hannibal Lector and some of the real-life killers...innocent, alone and wicked. Even though the ending was a little hooky, you got the overall message of movie. Yet, you are torn between whether to feel sorry for the killer for what he is going through; or to hate him for the monster is had become. This type of character conflict is what makes the movie excellent and Whishaw plays it well. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
4 out of 8 people found this review helpful I have not read the book, but the movie compelled me to buy it. This movie is unique; it's dark, creepy, but the cinematography is a delight and the story is fascinating. This might not be for ... Read More I have not read the book, but the movie compelled me to buy it. This movie is unique; it's dark, creepy, but the cinematography is a delight and the story is fascinating. This might not be for everyone's taste, but for those that like period piece stories with a somewhat gloomy, but nonetheless, an interesting concept, it's truly worth a try. The acting was also superb. I love it! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
9 out of 19 people found this review helpful this was an absolutly amazing movie. it was "Oliver Twist" meets "Lemony Snickets A Series Of Unfortunate Events" with a little of "House of 1000 corpses" thrown in. While it was strictly for mature ... Read More this was an absolutly amazing movie. it was "Oliver Twist" meets "Lemony Snickets A Series Of Unfortunate Events" with a little of "House of 1000 corpses" thrown in. While it was strictly for mature audiences, this was an absolute delight to watch from begining to end. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
5 out of 13 people found this review helpful The ONLY reason I even gave this 2 stars is because the acting was superb; the story was absolutely stupid!!! A boy that is born with a sense of smell so acute that not only can he know all the ... Read More The ONLY reason I even gave this 2 stars is because the acting was superb; the story was absolutely stupid!!! A boy that is born with a sense of smell so acute that not only can he know all the ingredients to a perfume from just one sniff, smell people moving, and smell people approaching from afar... give me a break!!! I remember a twighlight zone episode of the identical story as this and it was far better. The lighting is subdued and the costumes and landscapes are all grey tones; the only vibrant colors are the flowers. Like I mentioned, the acting is spectacular as you would expect from Dustin Hoffman; and the boy that plays the main character is someone I had not seen in an American film, but he was equally as talented. That being said.... to me, a great film is not simply the acting, but it also encompasses the story and the script (and other aspects as well). This movie just didn't hit the mark. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
5 out of 13 people found this review helpful This movie was simply bizarre and the entire story is slow. I kept watching expecting the movie to pick up, but it never happened. If you want to waste two and a half hours of your life this movie ... Read More This movie was simply bizarre and the entire story is slow. I kept watching expecting the movie to pick up, but it never happened. If you want to waste two and a half hours of your life this movie would be perfect otherwise avoid this movie at all cost. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No |
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