Perfume - The Story of a Murderer (2006)

interesting movie. I didn't love it but didn't hate it either

I fell asleep half way thru this movie and wasn't going to bother watching the rest of it. So glad I did...it became quite fascinating, especially the acting of the lead actor who I initially just felt annoyed by. All up, a good flick, but takes patience.

The book 'Perfume' by Patrick Suskind was an interesting and creative concept for a novel. The makers of this movie almost get there in transforming the novel… but not quite. The casting and acting is very good, as is the cinematography but the screenplay wanders around a bit. Much is made of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille's (Whishaw) fascination with the smell of young women and the story follows his attempts to recreate their essence (capturing the scent). However, there is no overt suggestion that this is connected to the sexual… but it is difficult to imagine that it wasn't. Most young women that Grenouille encountered were peasant girls and could not be expected to smell particularly aromatic. Nor could it be imagined that Grenouille was interested in any fragrance the woman might have been wearing (if any that he encountered were). So one is left to assume they he was trying to recreate some sort of pheromone that only he could discern. Pheromones are not aromatic fragrances, so when Grenouille finally ended up having manufactured a small bottle of some sort of aromatic oil that caused all who smelt it to swoon and become imbued with 'love', one is confused and unconvinced. Still, the movie is an hour-and-a-half of pleasant escapism. An OK experience.

Great movie with an interesting ending -- too much female nudity (it was just unnecessary), but captivating plot and good cinematography. 5/5

Based on a popular, dark novel. Contains some extra features (including "The making of...". Can be descibed as Kasper Hauser meets "Amadeus" and "Scent of a woman"....What I did not like was magical realism at the end of the movie. Entertaining, for sure, but not a real "masterpiece". Apparently this movie was being sold with samples of several fragrances to smell as you view the movie. The first smell (I guess) would be smell of old fish...

3 and a half stars. Would have gotten 4 except for the plot (in my opinion) losing itself in the final part of the movie.

gross film. ok but would not see it again. the guy was a whacko

excellent movie! what is exactly possible or impossible? outside all the boxes is legendary!

Loved this movie! Fantastic, beautiful, one i could watch again and again. definitely not one for the prudes or PETA (the movie starts in a meat market) but a must watch if you're after good story that deviates from the commercial horror that's pumped out of hollywood every day. there's no gratuitous violence or jump scenes, so this movie wont satisfy the gorelust of the saw/final destination crowd. the undertones are full of subtle dark humour, with a sexual hint, and a killer you love hate and pity at the same time

I'd give this movie 3.5 stars. Pleasantly surprised with all the known actors in this movie. It's a bit creepy to think that somebody loves the smell of death or perfume of death. Not at all what we expected,not full of blood and gore. The ending is a real surprise.

an excellent production

interesting take on the novel which I really liked.Was a tad slow and very dark but I enjoyed the narration and the characters

interesting, dark yet beautiful movie. Not as true to the book as I would have liked, but still enjoyed it.

This was a terrible movie and should be just put in the bin!!!!!

did not like this at all.

Very strange story. I loved it, have seen it twice. My partner hated it.

Very dark

A stange film I'm left to wonder what prompted the producer to make this film

Not my cup of tea. just couldnt get into it

Jean Baptist is a survivor, but he's also a little misguided. He is born with a gift, a unique ability of smell. Jean baptist tries to hold on to the memory of every smell he can, he sees the world through his nose, but this leads to an unhealthy obsession of capturing scents forever. The cinematography in this film is so sensory, that you can really feel as if you are getting the same experience as our 'hero'. The narrative is super quirky with the most surprising scene I have seen in a film ever. Hold on to your nose as you head through the grimy streets of Paris to the tranquil fields of Grasse. A Spectacular film.

All I can say is WEIRD, WEIRD, WEIRD!!!!!

Interesting concept but maybe just a little on the boring side and the ending was reminiscent of a zombie movie which was kind of cool.

I very much enjoyed the book, so I was curious to see what a movie director would come up with. I think Tom Tykwer did a great job. I'm just glad it wasn't smell-o-vision.

It is indeed a good movie. At first I didnt get it, then I love it.

Weird and interesting

different...

Made me want to go out and buy some new perfume. Interesting and something different.

Honestly, felt no empathy for the lead, enjoyed Dustin Hoffman's part, but ended up not finishing the film. Just couldn't connect with the main character at all.

The most ridiculous movie I have ever seen! I couldn't even give it a rating, Dustin Hoffman couldn't even save this poor excuse of a film.

Unique story. Beautifully filmed.

Very good and unique story. A lot of gaps in the story though, however, since I haven't read the book I would imagine the book fills those gaps.

Interesting concept, A fascinating journey between literal concepts and acting on literal ideas. There is more to this story than just what happened, it explores ones self identity/lack thereof- to masterfully exploding thyne self expression at the strange unexpected ending...i think there should be a sequel!...not for vegitarians..P.E.T.A

i liked this. the book blew my mind and i font expect the film to compete but i think it did a reasonable job. the lead character was effective and suitably creepy, mabye a little too good looking. i reckon he looked like ian brown.

I previously rated this a 5 star movie. It loses a star for a truly bizarre and unnecessary ending. The whole movie is a rich and sumptuous feast for the senses. But brace yourself for a smelly ending!

absolutely disgusting - could not get past the first 15 minutes - to sick for me

A surprisingly good adaptation of the book - it followed the storyline fairly closely (although not to the same amount of depth). The recreation of 18C France with all its smell and gore was pretty raw and some viewers may find some of the scenes disturbing (eg. after his first murder). Despite his horrific crimes I managed to find some empathy with him and his situation in the end.

This is a dark and moody tale which has been beautifully adapted to the screen from the book of the same name. The performances are strong from all the cast and there are some memorable characters. Its a truly original story with a great deal of poetry and irony. Highly recommended

The movie missed a major plot point which pretty much explains the entire ending, and instead tried to make it up with some other suggestion. I much preferred the book, but my housemate (who hasn't read the book) enjoyed the movie purely for itself, so 3 stars covers both of our views nicely.

Highly recommended. Excellent cast with Dustin Hoffman and Allan Rickman. Excellent story line

beautiful movie, imagery is intense, the audio is amazing. just a wonderfully unique and well crafted movie. loved every second of it. Will have to check out the book! MUST WATCH

Somewhat reminiscent of Barry Lyndon in its languidness, rich photography and ethereal qualities and ending. John Hurt's worldly voice in narration helped matters enormously. Runs along smoothly as treacle... of distilled perfume!

A film that attempts to be profound but comes across as incredibly silly (was the book any better?). Not helped by the one-dimensional performance of the lead. Watchable but daft.

Really enjoyed this, until a complete surreal ending that made very little sense

Very intreging movie, one of a kind. the abstract view that attraction through sent is the strongest bond. A different film. Worth watching to give your own opinion of what you think. Murder, love, death.

Challenging movie. Mass murderer, hero of the story? Devious, devious stuff.

WIERD BUT ENTHRALLING

Weiird, dim movie but really effective

Weird.....ok if you're into smelling things...not very entertaining.

A brilliant depictation of a story. Following the plot, setting and background opens the mind to a very different outlook of life in those years.Very realistic and keep true to the novels story line. Watching the making of gives a totally different light to the structure. fantastic

Beautiful cinematography. Takes a rather large departure from the book - which was much more sensitive to the 'simplicity' of the main character. Story was disappointing, but the film is wonderful for anyone who hasn't read the book.

An unusual story from an unusual book I read many years ago. Stunningly designed and beautifully produced, at times it was so evocative that I could almost feel (and smell) the locale. An excellent cast and Dustin Hoffman is a standout.

An interesting title however the story line was poor. Too many low light scenes. Dustin Hoffman excelled as usual in his roles. Not a movie I would recommend highly.

Loved it...very strange movie...

It is always difficult to enjoy a film having first read the book,most don't come up to the same standard. I felt too much was left out of the story which needed to be there to make it succeed

A very dark story, very well tol

A very dark story, very well told

A superior costume drama which succeeds through the power of suggestion rather than resorting to gore.

Hard to judge as I have just recently completed reading the book, which was FAR more gripping than the movie. I didn't even finish watching the movie as it was almost exactly the same as the book, but far more boring. I figured, there is no way that the movie ending will leave you with the same sense of amazement as the book. The movie dragged on and on. The scenery was lovely though.

Since the 'smellovision' hasn't been invented yet, it's hard to know why they bothered adapting this book. Descends into typical serial killer fodder. Alan Rickman looks good contemplating his paycheck.

Just finished the book before seeing the movie, it was great and really evoked the scents that dominated the story as well as the era.

“On the nose” might be a fitting description, but it’s not necessarily malodorous. Some graphic visuals are stomach turning, yet beautifully filmed and strangely alluring. This tall dark tale about one man’s obsession to produce a fragrance unlike no other is set in mid-eighteenth century Paris (not the most hygienic) and Grasse. Evil apprentice perfumer Jean-Baptiste Genouille (Ben Wishaw), the world’s greatest scent detector must murder virgins to acquire the essence of their odour. His nasty deeds are way out but almost believable, that is until the execution setting becomes the venue for a Guinness Book of Records mass orgy that quite over stretches the properties of any perfume ever made. It’s bizarre entertainment and worth a sniff. Three and a half stars.

This was the worst movie I have seen in a long time I would rate it at zero

A stinker!

One of the sickest movies I've seen. My friend and I struggled to watch the first 20 minutes - disgusting. And what a warped story. Hated every minute - I kept persevering only because I thought it must get better.

Wonderfully filmed, cast and costumed drama. Best I've seen for ages... Watch the "Making Of..." extra on the DVD for another hour's fascinating viewing.

It had me right up until the end - then it got decidedly weird. Great till then.

Interesting film... Have a feeling the book would be much better though as it is all about the sensory. The film also glosses over the majority of murders commited due to time constrictions. The opening scene is shocking! And the final few scenes are laughable for all the wrong reasons.

Over-long and over-indulgent, but the first hour is gripping, stylishly macabre film-making.

really liked this film, a bit boring in some parts, could have been a bit shorter

Wonderfully original film, quite outstanding really. Very oppressive mood and setting at the beginning of the movie, but it just seems to capture your attention as the story develops. Really well acted, Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman have excellent supporting roles. Main actor is fairly unknown to me, but he's excellent. Simply unforgettable, and will have you talking about it for some time.

Quite a disturbing story though !

Brilliant movie - very close to the book!

I read the book years ago and wondered how it'd translate to film.....quite well, aparently. creepy and gritty atmosphere, well acted but a bit overlong. It's visually rich and evocative but certainly not mainstream

Quite enjoyed this film - a little different and not very well known. Always good to see quality actors such as Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman pop up in movies like this.

Not quite sure the point of it - too deep.

I was concerned whether it could do justice to the book but did a very good job.

Fantastic Movie! Character development is astonishing and the gritty sensation of reality is maintained throughout despite featuring supernatural circumstances that surround the main character. You really get a feeling of connection with a very unconventional and disturbing boy/youth/man. The best part? It cleans up all the loose ends without seeming convenient

Couldn't get into this film at all, if it wasn't for Dustin Hoffman's character, I would have stopped it much earlier but in the end I turned it off as I found it too abhorrent and grotesque.

It is obviously a brilliant book and script but profoundly disturbing, so only hire it if you have the stomach for the macarbe, death and mayhem.

I had never seen a film like this before, but really enjoyed it. Should get some sort of good award.

Too grubby and depressing. I watched football instead.

Hard to rate this movie mainly because it should have been a four or five star film. Hard to put a finger on why it's not. Perhaps the critics unfairly put it down to being too gruesome, being the story of a murderer it needed to be. It would be more fair to suggest it is due to the narration and some scripting which does not compliment the fine efforts of the cast. That said no one except the most prudish would regret giving it a go.

absolutly crap dont bother.its very graphic b ut weird crap

This movie is about the obession of one man's journey in capturing the essence of smell. It is rather creepy and more so because the actor is so believable in the role.

I read the book years ago... it is accurate to the story and very well portrayed.

Excelent in all respect !!! I've read the book(recomended)and was worried that some of the story could not be interpreted into visual. Pleasant surprise !! This movie is better, than the book!! All people involved in it(poducer,director,actors,cameramen,right down to the coffee boy)can be very proud of their achievments.It's a must see,but read the book first!!

unusual and a little gruesome but not bad!

Held true to the book, a little far fetched, pity the last girl had to die, but worth watching.

rather intriguing

Started off well with surprisingly great cameos and then got very weird with a totally gross ending

Perfume is outstanding for its style and originality -- the only film that comes close would be "City of Lost Children". But this is more accessible, alike Grimm's Faerytales, somehow delightfully enchanting and at the same time darkly macabre. Carefully mix tragedy, innocent romance, a dash of the medieval drama and fantasy, you have a spellbindingly twisted tale that's definitely not for children.

The idea is prety good. The ending is profounded. At the begining, I was a little shocked, I thought he should be punished, he deserved that. But I think deeply, he realised that he never can get what he wants is the best punishment.

I doubt I would have enjoyed the movie as much as I did if I hadn't read the book first. It explains much!!!

this was a really good story. there aren't many movies around that i have enjoyed this much. plus there are pretty, naked redheads which is always a bonus.