Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a German-French-Spanish movie that was released in 2006. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Patrick Süskind. The movie stars Ben Whishaw as the protagonist, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. The movie is directed by Tom Tykwer and features Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman in supporting roles.

The movie is set in France in the 18th century and tells the story of Grenouille, a young man who has a highly developed sense of smell. He is born and abandoned in the stinking fish market of Paris. He grows up in an orphanage and later becomes an apprentice to a tanner. He finds work as a perfumer and starts to create perfumes that are highly appreciated. However, he is not satisfied with his success and decides to create the perfect scent. He becomes obsessed with this idea and starts to murder young girls to extract their scent.

The movie begins with Grenouille being executed for his crimes. As he is about to be executed, the narrator introduces the audience to the story of Grenouille's life. The audience is then taken back to Grenouille's birth and childhood. The movie effectively captures the sights and sounds of 18th century France. The smells of the fish market, the perfumes, and the rotting bodies are almost tangible.

As Grenouille grows up, he starts to realize that he is different from others. His sense of smell is highly developed, and he can identify scents that others can't. He becomes obsessed with capturing the scent of beautiful things and people. He is not interested in enjoying the scents but in capturing them.

As he grows up, he becomes a perfumer and starts to create perfumes that are highly sought after. He becomes famous for his work but remains dissatisfied. He becomes obsessed with capturing the scent of a beautiful young virgin, and he starts to murder young girls to extract their scent.

The murders are gruesome, and the movie does not shy away from showing the violence. However, the movie does not glorify the violence. It shows the terror and pain of the victims and the disgust of the onlookers.

Throughout the movie, the audience is taken on a journey through Grenouille's mind. The audience is shown his obsession and his lack of empathy. The movie is not a typical horror movie. It is a psychological thriller that explores the mind of a killer.

The movie is beautifully shot, and the visuals are stunning. The use of lighting and camera angles is masterful. The music is haunting and complements the movie perfectly. The actors deliver exceptional performances. Ben Whishaw does an excellent job of portraying Grenouille's obsession and lack of empathy. Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman also deliver outstanding performances.

The movie explores the themes of obsession, beauty, and morality. It raises questions about the value of life and the morality of taking a life for art. The movie is not for everyone. It is gruesome, and the subject matter is disturbing. However, for those who can handle it, the movie is a masterpiece.

In conclusion, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a masterful movie that explores the mind of a killer. The visuals, music, and acting are outstanding, and the movie raises important questions about morality and the value of life. It is not for everyone, but for those who can handle the subject matter, it is a must-see.