Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4315 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-04-30
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 141 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on Patrick Suskind's novel about a serial killer who hunts victims with his superhuman sense of smell, Perfume: Story of a Murderer 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 Perfume 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. --Trinie Dalton

Synopsis
Author Patrick Suskind enjoys a career shrouded in Salinger-esque mystery. Suskind’s best-selling novel PERFUME was coveted by Hollywood for many years, and finally makes it to the screen in this production helmed by Tom Tykwer (RUN LOLA RUN). The film stays remarkably faithful to the author’s vision, perfectly summoning up the brooding ominousness of small-town life in 18th-century France, and getting the casting of its central character, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), exactly right. Grenouille is an orphan whose sense of smell is extraordinarily acute. He impresses master perfumer Baldini (Dustin Hoffman) enough to work for him, and this sets Grenouille off on an epic quest to find the perfect scent. When he discovers that killing young women and bottling their essence is the only way he can achieve his dream, Grenouille is soon a wanted man with multiple murders to his name. However, when it comes to making one last kill--namely the attractive redhead Laura (Rachel Hurd-Wood)--the young perfumer may have met his match in her overprotective father, Richis (Alan Rickman). Tykwer’s film is an impressive achievement, not least because the subject of scent and the cinematic medium were always going to make uneasy bedfellows. Couple that with the weight of expectation caused by the millions of readers who have delighted in Suskind’s words, and it needed a brave director to take on such a project. Whishaw is a revelation in his first major screen appearance, and Tykwer made a wise choice in bringing in some older heads (Rickman, Hoffman) to support the younger actor. Visually, the film is stunning, and cinematographer Frank Griebe clearly worked hard to bring Suskind and Tykwer’s visions to life. But ultimately this is an ensemble piece, with cast and crew all pulling together to create a film that simmers with a hushed menace throughout.

Customer Reviews

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?

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?

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.

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!

wow!
I stumbled upon this film about half way through on Sky HD and was mesmorised throughout the remainder of it !This is the most captivating ,mesmorising film i have ever watched and i LOVED it!The scene when he goes to be executed and instead unleashes the worlds most perfect perfume on the crowd who hail him as an "angel" was one of the most electrifiying moments i have ever witnessed!The hairs on my arms actually raised as the scene unfolded! I absolutely recommend this film to be viewed in HD as it really compliments EVERY aspect of the film- makers skill and let yourself really get into it and it will stay with you forever!! Congragulations to everyone involved in its making !