Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)

One of the most lavishly executed films I have seen in a very long time. Full of gorgeous cinematography painted with the richest of hues, beautiful  and haunting music (recorded by Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic no less!) and boasting clutch of excellent and charismatic performances, especially the strange and magnetic presence of relative newcomer Ben Whishaw in the starring role.

This is a Grimm fairy-tale of sorts, a dark gothic fantasy with pungent overtones; a film to wallow in and drink up as sheer experience. In the cold light of day it is easy to pick holes in the faintly absurd and rather episodic story, and the whole enterprise overreaches itself just a little at the end with scenes of spiritual ecstasy that veer dangerously close to parody. But such analysis does no favours to the film or the viewer. Perfume is a deeply sensual experience and a remarkable achievement at bringing a famously "unfilmable" novel so richly to life. Oh, and Dustin Hoffman is worth the price of admission alone. Few characters in all of film history have made such a perfectly judged exit.

Rating: 5/5