DIRECTED BY: TOM TWYKES

STARRING: BEN WHISHAW, DUSTIN HOFFMAN, ALAN RICKMAN.

Release date: December 26th

'Perfume' combines magical and intoxicating imagery with incredible acting to create an affecting aroma that looks set to last. Jean Baptise Grenouille (impressive newcomer Ben Whishaw) is gifted with a superior, almost supernatural, sense of smell. He becomes infatuated with the smell of an innocent orange-seller, and vows to recreate her perfect scent for the whole world to experience. He gains an internship with floundering perfumer Baldini (the consistently wonderful Hoffman), but soon becomes frustrated by the limitations of perfumery to capture human odour, and turns to murder. The perfume he creates by gathering the scent of 12 beautiful young women dramatically transforms all those who come into contact with it, and Grenouille realises that he has managed to bottle pure innocence. This fascinating protagonist feels no responsibility or compassion, but is fuelled solely by his olfactory obsession. His talent is comprehensible from the outset, and we come to understand his motives as the search for real love, in spite of any negative consequences. Twykes sets the scene with Jean-Baptiste's birth in the fish markets of 18th century Paris, and juxtaposes this festering filth with the ravishing decadence of the perfumeries visited later. The impressive cinematography ensures that the film remains visually sumptuous throughout, as the lush colours used here become an almost aromatic experience. This is dark and affecting viewing, showing Grenouille's escalating conflict realistically and intricately. It possesses a persuasive power, this 'Perfume'.