I haven't read Süskind's book, before watching the movie, which was certainly an advantage, because I didn't have any demands or reservations on its realization.
The story should be throughout well-known. The main character Grenouille has an perfect sense of smell and tries to conserve the scent of beautiful women in order to create an ultimate perfume, which makes him turn into a murderer.
Director Tom Tykwer focused on strong and authentic pictures to describe all the different smells which works brilliantly, may it be the disgustingly foul smelling Parisian fish market or a large field of blooming lavender. It's overwhelming, how Tykwer's picture language lets you experience not only all kinds of smells but also the atmosphere of life in the 18th century.
The actors' performances are great as well. Wishaw plays Grenouille with a mix of insanity, mysterious attractiveness and simplicity. The rest of the cast, especially Dustin Hoffman as Grenouille's taskmaster and Alan Rickman as a careful father, who wants to hunt Grenouille down contribute great performances.
The story itself keeps some brilliant ideas ready, which are certainly only surprising for those, who haven't read the book. But a problem, which is common for most novel adaptations is, that the story partly seems too densely packed, so that the movie becomes a little dull sometimes. The fact that a narrator is almost constantly present intensifies the fabulous atmosphere on the one hand. But on the other hand the characters' motivations don't become clear enough at certain times. I would have wished, that the movie would have taken more time focusing on the characters' development. But nevertheless the strength of the movie lies in special sequences, for example the ending scene, which I don't want to spoil, is enthralling to such an extent and the picture language perfectly support the movie's main topic of ultimate beauty.
The movie is no common novel adaptation, due to the novel's ingenious story and Tykwer's courageous realization, "Perfume" is an exciting unique cinematic experience, which I think is more beneficial, if you haven't read the book.
The story should be throughout well-known. The main character Grenouille has an perfect sense of smell and tries to conserve the scent of beautiful women in order to create an ultimate perfume, which makes him turn into a murderer.
Director Tom Tykwer focused on strong and authentic pictures to describe all the different smells which works brilliantly, may it be the disgustingly foul smelling Parisian fish market or a large field of blooming lavender. It's overwhelming, how Tykwer's picture language lets you experience not only all kinds of smells but also the atmosphere of life in the 18th century.
The actors' performances are great as well. Wishaw plays Grenouille with a mix of insanity, mysterious attractiveness and simplicity. The rest of the cast, especially Dustin Hoffman as Grenouille's taskmaster and Alan Rickman as a careful father, who wants to hunt Grenouille down contribute great performances.
The story itself keeps some brilliant ideas ready, which are certainly only surprising for those, who haven't read the book. But a problem, which is common for most novel adaptations is, that the story partly seems too densely packed, so that the movie becomes a little dull sometimes. The fact that a narrator is almost constantly present intensifies the fabulous atmosphere on the one hand. But on the other hand the characters' motivations don't become clear enough at certain times. I would have wished, that the movie would have taken more time focusing on the characters' development. But nevertheless the strength of the movie lies in special sequences, for example the ending scene, which I don't want to spoil, is enthralling to such an extent and the picture language perfectly support the movie's main topic of ultimate beauty.
The movie is no common novel adaptation, due to the novel's ingenious story and Tykwer's courageous realization, "Perfume" is an exciting unique cinematic experience, which I think is more beneficial, if you haven't read the book.