I wasn’t sure if I should bother seeing the film as the Patrick Suskind’s book had such a strong presence – strengthening through the time spent reading it – that I felt film would only detract from the experience.
But needing time away from my normal life I thought I’d check it out. To my suprise after the first 10 minutes I found myself quite engrossed in the life of ‘Jean-Baptiste Grenouille’ . This was partly to do with the stylish camera work – the film unable to facilitate the scent of 18th century Paris manages to deliver the visual equivalent, recreating the fish market, tanners yard & the ancient Parisian streets. Also providing an impressive view of the bridges – groaning under the strain of countless shops and houses – which eventually fall into the seine.
Apart from film’s inability to conjure up the variety of smells that drives the main character of the book (although It does have a good stab at it through the sometimes amazing images) I was suprised to come away with something I didn’t feel while reading the book.
The character’s isolation and loneliness in the heart of society. The film tends to emphasize Grenouille’s remoteness from normal human contact. This may be due to the medium (with film you look from a distance, with literature it is easier to be engrossed in the characters relying on the readers personal feelings to provide images for the narrative), but it produces a powerfull effect.
I’m glad I did take the time to see it, and feel it was a great way to spend a winter afternoon.