Review of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006) by Kaustubh H — 03 May 2012

It disregarded well some parts of the book, for example, the air therapist post cave dwelling. The opening scene was an opulent display of the grotesque - just wonderful. Birgit Minichmayr as Grenouille's mother was perfect.

Hoffman wasn't right as Baldini, a mistake of the casting not a slight on Hoffman's delivery. Ben Whishaw as Grenouille was apt, but lacked a distinctive limp at times which would have been a nice touch for a greater chronology of the story.

Rachel Hurd-Wood was too old when he first found her, she ought to have been much more of a Lolita. Alan Rickman is always a pleasure to watch and hear...if only we could also smell him!! Overall the film was a success.

The simplistic scenery may underwhelm some, but I found it endearing, like a rustic theatre stage. Though without a deep artistic loyalty to the book they still attained beautiful imagery, successful orgy (which I thought they'd just overlook or imply) and a nice script and narration, which is an honourable ode to the original.