The movie version of Patrick Suskind's Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is now under production, and is scheduled for release in September 2006.
There is a short but interesting article about celebrity fragrances in the Pioneer Press (link no longer working, sorry!).
Wow – that movie sounds dark. What a great article and should be interesting in the hands of that director. In the meantime – there is the book. Have you read it?? I would be interested in your thoughts. Have a great weekend!!!
F, the book is dark, even gruesome, but an entertaining read (especially for a perfume fan) if you don't mind the gruesome parts. Will try to do a proper “book report” soon.
I'm thrilled that Perfume is being made in Europe. For a while there was buzz that an American was going to make it, and that wasn't a good idea. Anyone interested in Perfume should read it, it is the greatest writing about scent, ever!
Great to know that Perfume is being filmed in Europe; definitely adds authenticity to the story. I'll be interested to see how the ending is handled…the book's ending was gruesome & dark; I can't imagine the film ending that way.
Agree completely…an American would sanitize it.
I am almost frightened of how this will turn out as a film. There are long passages of the book that take place inside Grenouille's head! And there are a lot of fantastical plot twists, the ending included, that are palatable to a reader but will be much harder to transfer to the screen. I am very eager to see this. With the right director, this could be a dark and fascinating film.
Why haven't I read this book? I have absolutely no answer to that!
I'm putting it on my reading list right now as I type this message to you. I need to finish the new Harry Potter first. :):)
Have a great weekend!
K, I need to re-read it before the film comes out, but you are right — it is hard to see how they would deal with those issues. And the long time where he is a hermit would be very dull onscreen. We shall see!
I thought the ending of the book was disappointing. Weird, yes, and I like weird, but very anticlimatic imo. Now if they ever made jitterbug perfume into a movie, I'd be first in line!
A, I can't believe I still haven't read that. Have read just about everything else TR wrote. Must get a copy…
…still haven't read….
Slowly, sadly shake head.
Do I really know this woman?
How can this be?
But Anya, I thought you had already written me off for liking the Ormonde Jayne line!
Really, I am a fairly well read person, I swear to it. Do bear in mind that I didn't give a fig about fragrance until 2 years ago. I will catch up eventually 🙂
Two years ago? Amazing — your nose is so sensitive and your descriptions so beautiful. I really am surprised, R… you're a natural. I still have problems describing what I'm smelling, and I've been an addict since childhood.
Do you forget, BTW, I love Ormonde Man and Isfahan? Heck, you might love Chanel #19, and I can't stand that, but I'm a slave to #5. That's what makes the perfume world go round! (and the perfumers cranking out one new bottle of juice after another 😉
Back to Jitterbug Perfume — my favorite, favorite perfume book of all time. I buy copies all the time to give to friends, even those not into perfume. You can get it cheap on Ebay or Amazon. Typical Robbins, but drenched in “boof”!
Anya,
You are so kind, but I am far from a natural. I am just a determined fan with an obsessive personality. I wish now that I had started by smelling all the essential oils, because I really only know what individual notes smell like from smelling so many different perfumes. Recently a very kind person sent me some Haitian vetiver oil, and I was really surprised at the smell. V at Bois de Jasmin is far, far more knowledgeable than I am.
I am quite sure that if you & I were given blindfolded smell tests, you would ace it and I would fail miserably.
Will get the TR book, I promise!
And do you LOVE those 2? I thought they were just the only ones you could stand at all.
When I retested them ( and I always give scents a second chance, unless they're vile) I adored the way they dried down, and persisted until the next day. One on the left wrist, one on the right. Gorgeous, woody, unctuous, clean, clear scents.
You're shocked, I know. So was I, since I was so turned off by the rest of the line. V mentioned how funny I like the men's scents, and the women's, which are supposed to herald the florals I love, like osmanthus, sambac, etc., are a total turn off. Just goes to show ya!
Well I am so glad you do love them! It is still my favorite line. Perhaps one day Frangipani will grow on you…