Here's a movie that really shows up a common problem with cinema. Gorgeous cinematography, costumes, makeup, sets, sound and effects along with an incredible digital intermediate, make it an incredible sight to behold on the big screen.
However, though it was based on a novel, the story is thin. It's a confused movie - several motifs, no sense of self, search for immortality, the desire for beauty, etc. are all lost in an embarrassing 'magical' movie about a serial killer. The movie starts strong and then devolves when the protagonist begins his road journey to the town of Gras.
If they had stayed with any one of the the threads that are hinted at and used it along with this fellow who killed accidentally, it could have been something. As it turns out, the ending left me laughing with disbelief - a live version of a Spencer Tunik photo - but absolutely ludicrous reasoning - a perfume so magical that a square swarming with men and women are swooning, and having an orgy instead of an execution of a monster.
The movie is the type I despise the most - a high budget movie pretending to be high-brow by being a period piece. In fact, were one to remove the artifice, you'd be left with - not much. A silly tale of obsession taken to murder that doesn't know how to or attempt to explain anything and excuses it with magic.
With the exception of a couple out of place "charlie's angels - ramp speed" shots, the direction was fine. Dustin Hoffman was a bit over the top, even as a silly perfumier, and Alan Rickman was a bit too subdued. The lead, Ben Wishow, was fine in a fairly standard 'serial killer' part. I've seen worse but also far more interesting killers on screen.
I'll tell you the movie that is better than this - Love Potion #9 At least it's not taking itself seriously.
However, though it was based on a novel, the story is thin. It's a confused movie - several motifs, no sense of self, search for immortality, the desire for beauty, etc. are all lost in an embarrassing 'magical' movie about a serial killer. The movie starts strong and then devolves when the protagonist begins his road journey to the town of Gras.
If they had stayed with any one of the the threads that are hinted at and used it along with this fellow who killed accidentally, it could have been something. As it turns out, the ending left me laughing with disbelief - a live version of a Spencer Tunik photo - but absolutely ludicrous reasoning - a perfume so magical that a square swarming with men and women are swooning, and having an orgy instead of an execution of a monster.
The movie is the type I despise the most - a high budget movie pretending to be high-brow by being a period piece. In fact, were one to remove the artifice, you'd be left with - not much. A silly tale of obsession taken to murder that doesn't know how to or attempt to explain anything and excuses it with magic.
With the exception of a couple out of place "charlie's angels - ramp speed" shots, the direction was fine. Dustin Hoffman was a bit over the top, even as a silly perfumier, and Alan Rickman was a bit too subdued. The lead, Ben Wishow, was fine in a fairly standard 'serial killer' part. I've seen worse but also far more interesting killers on screen.
I'll tell you the movie that is better than this - Love Potion #9 At least it's not taking itself seriously.