Perfume - I *love* this film!
I thought I would write a post about the film "Perfume - the Story of a Murderer". IMDB informs me that it finally has opened in the states.
It is certainly not anyone's cup of tea, but if you like dark, abstruse, dramatic, thrilling, yet poetic and sensual films with artfully composed images... then "Perfume" is your movie.
Since the incomparable experience of the LOTR films I haven't seen another movie that got me so completely. The film is based on Patrick Süskind's novel which was long considered impossible to adapt for the screen. The author, a very shy and reclusive man, hesitated for years to sell the rights; then - who could direct such a movie? Several names were considered - Ridley Scott, Tim Burton, Milos Forman, Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick were interested in the story... I am so glad they finally decided on Tom Tykwer, a talented German director whose mesmerising images go right to the heart.
The film tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born in the France of 1738 with no sense of odor, who develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he searches for the ultimate scent. "The soul of all beings is their scent."
Here's the link to the film www.perfumemovie.com (thanks to
mechtild for it and to jan-u-wine!!)
I was speechless when I left the theatre after the first viewing in October, overwhelmed by the film's powerful imagery. But when I saw it this week again, I once more was completely in a daze afterwards and this daze didn't wear off. The images and the music still linger with me, like a fine perfume's basic note...
I read the book when it was published back in 1986 and I was instantly fascinated with it. In the book, Grenouille is a monster from the day of his birth on. The film makes his character more ambivalent, more accessible for the viewer. Ben Whishaw's performance is simply a stroke of genius.
Whensoever I am fascinated with something I start to draw and paint regarding the matter in question, and so did I with "Perfume" too. The following illustration dates from 1987:
(Oil pastels on paper)
~~~~~~~~~~
And (switching to a lighter note), believe it or not, it finally inspired me even to do some fashion sketches (I had recently ended my training as styler back then, hence...)
I love the 18th century! :-)
~~~~~~~~~~~
ETA: I add the link to an interesting interview with Ben Whishaw in which he talks about his role as Grenouille. Well worth a read. He comes over as modest and well articulated person... reminds me of Elijah.
http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=14091
It is certainly not anyone's cup of tea, but if you like dark, abstruse, dramatic, thrilling, yet poetic and sensual films with artfully composed images... then "Perfume" is your movie.
Since the incomparable experience of the LOTR films I haven't seen another movie that got me so completely. The film is based on Patrick Süskind's novel which was long considered impossible to adapt for the screen. The author, a very shy and reclusive man, hesitated for years to sell the rights; then - who could direct such a movie? Several names were considered - Ridley Scott, Tim Burton, Milos Forman, Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick were interested in the story... I am so glad they finally decided on Tom Tykwer, a talented German director whose mesmerising images go right to the heart.
The film tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born in the France of 1738 with no sense of odor, who develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he searches for the ultimate scent. "The soul of all beings is their scent."
Here's the link to the film www.perfumemovie.com (thanks to
mechtild for it and to jan-u-wine!!)
I was speechless when I left the theatre after the first viewing in October, overwhelmed by the film's powerful imagery. But when I saw it this week again, I once more was completely in a daze afterwards and this daze didn't wear off. The images and the music still linger with me, like a fine perfume's basic note...
I read the book when it was published back in 1986 and I was instantly fascinated with it. In the book, Grenouille is a monster from the day of his birth on. The film makes his character more ambivalent, more accessible for the viewer. Ben Whishaw's performance is simply a stroke of genius.
Whensoever I am fascinated with something I start to draw and paint regarding the matter in question, and so did I with "Perfume" too. The following illustration dates from 1987:
(Oil pastels on paper)
~~~~~~~~~~
And (switching to a lighter note), believe it or not, it finally inspired me even to do some fashion sketches (I had recently ended my training as styler back then, hence...)
I love the 18th century! :-)
~~~~~~~~~~~
ETA: I add the link to an interesting interview with Ben Whishaw in which he talks about his role as Grenouille. Well worth a read. He comes over as modest and well articulated person... reminds me of Elijah.
http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=14091