Anisha Riggs
*Perfume: The Story of a Murderer* is a film adaptation of the book of the same name. It is a twisted murder mystery set in 18th-century France and follows Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a talented perfumer, who becomes obsessed with capturing the scent of young womanhood. When the bodies of 12 young women are found, panic breaks out. The film was nominated for several European Film Awards in 2007 and won the award for Best Cinematographer. You can stream the movie on Netflix and Prime Video.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Streaming Platforms | Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ (in the UK), Prime Video |
| Cost | $2.99 on some platforms |
| Awards | 2007 European Film Award for European Cinematographer, nominated for several other European Film Awards |
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What You'll Learn
Where to stream the film
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, played by Ben Whishaw, is one of 18th-century France's finest perfumers with an incredible talent for discerning scents. He becomes obsessed with capturing the scent of young womanhood, and when the bodies of 12 young females are found, panic breaks out.
You can watch Perfume: The Story of a Murderer on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in the UK. It is also available on a few other platforms for $2.99. Unfortunately, it is not streaming for free.
The film was nominated for several awards, including the 2007 European Film Award for European Actor and won the 2007 European Film Award for European Cinematographer.
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Differences between the film and the book
The film adaptation of the novel "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" by Patrick Süskind received mixed reviews. Some viewers praised the film for its beauty and its ability to capture the spirit of the source material, while others criticised its pacing and underutilisation of the author's eloquent narrative.
The novel is a mix of criminal and formation story genres, with a heavy focus on the protagonist Grenouille's inner journey and psychological experiences derived from his sense of smell. The film, on the other hand, is a visual tableau that translates Grenouille's aromatic experiences into a completely different medium. While the film follows the novel's plot closely, it compresses the timeline and cuts out certain subplots, such as Grenouille's experience as a scientific oddity.
Grenouille's characterisation also differs between the two versions. In the book, he is conniving, calculating, and overtly manipulative, while in the film, he seems less aware of how his actions affect those around him and comes across as somewhat innocent, as if he doesn't fully understand the impact of his actions due to his lack of understanding of humanity.
The ending of the novel is also darker than the film's. In the book, Grenouille is eaten by the people drawn to his perfume, highlighting the dark tone of the story. In the film, this scene is not included, and the focus is on the protagonist's realisation of how much he hates people and his decision to return to Paris.
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Jean-Baptiste Grenouille's character
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is the central character of Patrick Süskind's 1985 novel, "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer", and its film adaptation. Grenouille is an orphan with a highly developed sense of smell, which is his only source of pleasure and drives his ambition to become a perfumer. His lack of a personal scent makes him an oddity, and he is treated poorly by those around him.
Grenouille is both the protagonist and antagonist of the story. While his pursuit of a personal scent initially elicits sympathy, his actions become increasingly loathsome and disturbing. He is driven by a need to be loved, which leads him to murder over 20 girls for their scent. Grenouille's obsession with scent spirals out of control when he goes to Grasse, the perfume capital of France, and he becomes willing to do whatever it takes to create the perfect perfume.
Grenouille apprentices with a tanner and then a failing parfumeur, Giuseppe Baldini, whose reputation is elevated by Grenouille's superior talent. Baldini demands that Grenouille hand over all his perfume formulas, refusing to give him any credit. Grenouille eventually leaves to travel to the south of France, where he can learn more about distilling and preserving scents.
Grenouille's quest for a personal scent is ultimately futile, as even when he creates the perfect perfume, he is still unable to emit a smell of his own. This failure highlights his character as a tragic figure, driven by a desire to be noticed and accepted.
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Awards and nominations
"Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" received numerous awards and nominations. The film was nominated for four European Film Awards in 2007, winning the award for European Cinematographer. It was also nominated for Best European Film at the EFA People's Choice Awards.
The film received a total of 15 wins and 20 nominations. At the 33rd Saturn Awards in 2006, hosted by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, the film won the award for Best Sound Design.
"Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" was directed by Tom Tykwer and starred Ben Whishaw, Alan Rickman, Rachel Hurd-Wood, and Dustin Hoffman. It was released in 2006 to critical acclaim, grossing more than $135 million worldwide. The film is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Patrick Süskind.
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Reactions and reviews
Several reviews have commented on the film's visual style, with one critic drawing comparisons to Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon", noting that both films are "visually dazzling" and feature unsympathetic anti-heroes. Another review from Roger Ebert highlights the film's ability to evoke a "medieval world of gross vices, all-pervading stinks, and crude appetites", with director Tom Tykwer's unique vision of 18th-century France being a key point of praise for many.
The film's acting has also been generally well-received, with Ben Whishaw's performance as Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a young man with an extraordinary sense of smell, singled out for praise. One review calls it "by far and away Ben Whishaw's best role", while another commends his ability to portray a character driven by a "deep, savage need". Dustin Hoffman's performance as master perfumer Baldini has also been well-received, with critics noting that he brings "humour and humanity" to the story.
However, some reviews have found the film disturbing and off-putting. One review warns that the film is "not for the faint of heart", with its gruesome depiction of murder and nudity. Another critic found the story "less of a creative choice and more of an annoying necessity", suggesting that the novel may be better suited to convey the full impact of the story. The ending, in particular, has been criticised as bizarre, with one critic noting that the film "loses 80% of its energy" when the scene shifts from Paris to Grasse.
Overall, "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" has provoked a range of reactions, from those who find it a "cinematic marvel" to those who find it too disturbing and off-putting.
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Frequently asked questions
You can watch the film on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ in the UK. In the US, it is available on Netflix and Prime Video. You can also rent it for $2.99 on a few platforms.
The film is about Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, one of 18th-century France's finest perfumers with an incredible talent for discerning scents. He becomes obsessed with capturing the scent of young womanhood, and when the bodies of 12 young females are found, panic breaks out with families rushing to lock up their daughters.
Yes, the film is based on a book of the same name.
*Perfume: The Story of a Murderer* stars Ben Whishaw as Jean-Baptiste Grenouille.
