Who else has seen the movie "Perfume"? (Or read the book?)

[Ilsa]

I watched it late last night. Wow. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0396171/

Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born in the stench of eighteenth century Paris, develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he tries to preserve scents in the search for the ultimate perfume.

The acting by Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman was phenomenal, as well as by Ben Whishaw as Grenouille. Really bizarre ending. I hadn't read the book.

[ghostsofgiants]

1. I've seen the movie, it's quite good.

Though I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending.

[terrya]

2. I've read the book and seen the movie.

The film is wonderful. It's the best they could have done with the book.

[myrna minx]

6. I've read the book, but I haven't seen the movie.

I'll have to check it out. You description is how I felt about when The Name of the Rose was made into a film. Except for the "hollywood" ending, the film tried to do it's best considering the original tome was far too vast to condense into a film.

[Dora]

3. I've read the book five times. I'll read it again, I'm sure.

It's a brilliant novel and I thought it was fantastic translation from the original German. Reads grippingly well and the ending is mind-blowing, pure poetry.

I'm afraid to see the movie.

[Ilsa]

4. The poverty, filth, and cheapness of life in the beginning as his birth and

childhood were being presented was extraordinarily sickening. But artful at the same time. The cruelty of the age was apparent. The manipulation by the church of the public was brief, but intense. The settings and wardrobe were awesome. Another response in this thread said the movie is the best the could have done with the book.

I just checked on IMDB, and Ben Whishaw has won alot of acting awards. Only 27 years old.

[myrna minx]

5. I've read the book. I didn't know that it was made into a film.

I don't want to give any spoilers, but from your description, the film must end in a similar way that the book did. :scared:

[Ilsa]

8. SPOILER Alert:

The movie begins with the authorities bringing a chained Grenouille out on a balcony and the reading of a toturous death sentence to the crowd's delight. Then the movie starts with his birth.

The end of the flick is everyone getting ready for his execution, and while he is still in the cell, he places a little bit of his perfume on. His jailers are so enamored with him that they get him dressed and he arrives at the execution block in a carriage they've provided for him. He sprinkles more of the perfume on a handkerchief, waves it around and the crowd is swooning with love for him and declarations that he is an angel. When he lets the handkerchief go, before long the crowd, including the authorities and priest, are swept up into the orgy. The father of his last victim at first doesn't get it and goes after him, but when he gets close to him he asks for forgiveness while weeping. G. returns to the Paris streets and at the fishmarket, poors the entire vial over himself and a small band of street folk call him an angel and cover him while pawing him; he disappears beneath them, devoured. SCraps of clothing and the empty vial, with only one drop hanging from the mouth, are all that is left in the last scene.

[myrna minx]

9. The film sounds very much like the book.

What you described is what I recall from the book. Quite a surreal ending!

[Drum]

7. Neither, but I plan to.

Have a trusted friend who raved about the movie...will Netflix it for sure.

[RetroLounge]

10. I got a copy of the book in last night

I think I'll keep it now and read it...

Haven't seen the movie yet.

RL

[supernova]

11. Adore the book, but haven't seen the movie

I love the book. I've actually given myself headaches trying to conjure up all the smells and aromas described.

I've hesitated to see the movie because the book is that good.

[Minimus]

12. I have the DVD at home from Netflix and will watch this weekend.

Bizarre ending? Now I am looking forward to it even more!

[bikebloke]

13. Read the book many, many years ago.

I saw the movie recently. Despite hearing negative reviews, I liked it. Maybe they didn't care for the protagonist because wasn't a good guy. The evocation of eighteenth century Paris was brilliant.

[DerekG]

14. The best horror film I've seen in years

That gothic tale of a reluctant antichrist was the antidote I needed in this milieu of torture-porn smut.

Expect it to achieve "Wicker Man" status in ten years time.

[Ilsa]

15. Such a good film, yet there wasn't a *ahem* whiff (sorry for the pun) about it in our country. nt

[sarge43]

16. Just rented it for the evening's entertainment.

Sounds like I made a good choice, but then I'll watch Rickman stare at a wall.

[sarge43]

17. Just finished watching it. Excellent.

I especially like the use of the music to convey Grenouille's sensations of the odors and scents. And any actor who can steal scenes from Hoffman and Rickman is amazing.

[FloridaJudy]

18. Loved the book, haven't seen the movie

But if Hoffman and Rickman are in it, that is definitely going to be on my must-see list.

[nuxvomica]

19. I read the book years ago and I was amazed by the movie.

I remember thinking when I read the book that it would be very difficult to make a movie that could capture the novel's evocative descriptions of scent. The director appears to have dealt with the challenge by visually emphasizing the sources of the different fragrances. The rural scenes are particularly beautiful and remind me of the Jean de Florette movies.