Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a 2006 period psychological thriller film directed by Tom Tykwer, who co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Birkin and Bernd Eichinger, based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Patrick Süskind. The film stars Ben Whishaw, Alan Rickman, Rachel Hurd-Wood, and Dustin Hoffman. Set in 18th-century France, the film tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Whishaw), an olfactory genius, and his homicidal quest for the perfect scent.
Plot
The film begins with the sentencing of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a notorious murderer. The story of his life is told in flashback, beginning with his abandonment at birth in a French fish market. Raised in an orphanage, Grenouille grows into a strangely detached boy with a superhuman sense of smell. After growing to maturity as a tanner's apprentice, he makes his first delivery to Paris, where he revels in all the new scents. He is particularly enchanted by a redheaded girl selling yellow plums, following her and attempting to sniff her, but startles her with his behavior. To prevent her from crying out, he covers her mouth and unintentionally suffocates her. After realizing she is dead, he strips her naked and smells her all over, becoming distraught when her scent fades. Afterward, he is haunted by the desire to recreate her aroma.
Awards
Cast
- Alan Rickman
- Ariadna Cabrol
- Ben Whishaw
- Birgit Minichmayr
- Carme Contreras i Verdiales
- Carolina Vera
- Corinna Harfouch
- David Calder
- Dustin Hoffman
- Enric Arquimbau
- Fermí Reixach i García
- Jerome Willis
- Jessica Schwarz
- John Hurt
- Karoline Herfurth
- Michael Smiley
- Otto Sander
- Rachel Hurd-Wood
- Sam Douglas
- Sara Forestier
- Sian Thomas
- Simon Chandler