Perfume (2001 film)
Perfume is a 2001 American film directed by Michael Rymer and featuring an ensemble cast, starring Paul Sorvino, Leslie Mann, Jeff Goldblum, Mariel Hemingway, Rita Wilson, Jared Harris, Joanne Baron, and Michelle Williams. All dialogue was improvised by the actors. The film premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival.
Perfume | |
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Directed by | Michael Rymer Hunter Carson |
Written by | Michael Rymer L. M. Kit Carson |
Produced by | L. M. Kit Carson Cynthia Hargrave Nadia Leonelli Fredrik Sundwall |
Starring | Paul Sorvino Leslie Mann Jeff Goldblum Rita Wilson Jared Harris Joanne Baron Michelle Williams Mariel Hemingway |
Cinematography | Rex Nicholson |
Edited by | Dany Cooper |
Music by | Adam Plack |
Distributed by | Lionsgate Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 106 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Plot
A week prior to a New York Fashion Week,[2] various models, photographers, agents, reporters, publicists and designers, involved in the fashion industry, find themselves embroiled in conflicts.[3][4]
Anthony is a fashion photographer who has to reinvent himself after his signature heroin chic style has become overused and obvious.[5] Janice Crawford, powerful chief editor of A Magazine, offers Anthony the chance to prove himself with a cover shot. In the meantime, Janice's estranged daughter Halley resurfaces unexpectedly.[5]
Camille is an up-and-coming fashion designer who's leaving the small atelier owned by Roberta Colaredo to join the large fashion house Fantasia, for which her current lover, Jamie, works as a talent scout.[5] When Camille takes a deal, Roberta finds her atelier is setback.[6]
Lorenzo Mancini is a famous Italian fashion designer who learns that he's dying of cancer, but keeps the news from his former wife Irene and his boyfriend Guido while also trying to prevent his son Mario from changing their family business into a new line that panders to hip hop culture. Lorenzo meets with some hip hop artists who help open his mind to Mario's idea to cater to new clientele. Guido contacts Lorenzo's Irene who tells their son and daughter about the cancer diagnosis, so they are able to say goodbye.
Cast
- Joanne Baron as Janice Crawford[7]
- Sônia Braga as Irene Mancini, Lorenzo Mancini's ex-wife
- Carmen Electra as Simone, Mario's girlfriend
- Omar Epps as J.B., a famous rapper who tries to launch his own fashion line through Lorenzo
- Peter Gallagher as Guido, Lorenzo Mancini's live-in boyfriend
- Jeff Goldblum as Jamie, a talent scout for the Fantasia firm and Camille's recent hook-up[7]
- Jared Harris as Anthony, a fashion photographer
- Mariel Hemingway as Leese Hotton, a famous actress Anthony is hired to shoot for the cover of A Magazine[7][8]
- Leslie Mann as Camille, a talented designer working for Roberta Colaredo's atelier[7]
- Paul Sorvino as Lorenzo Mancini[7]
- Rita Wilson as Roberta Colaredo[7]
- Morena Baccarin as Monica, Roberta Colaredo's assistant
- Angela Bettis as Wilemina, Janice Crawford's assistant
- Coolio as T, an associate of J.B.
- D.W. Brown as Morton, Anthony's assistant
- Hunter Carson as Paul McMichaels, Camille's friend
- Carmen Ejogo as Chloe, Roberta Collaredo's English designer
- Michelle Forbes as Francene, Anthony's live-in girlfriend
- Troy Garity as Simon, Roberta Collaredo's staffer
- Lucy Gordon as Sarah, Roberta Collaredo's staffer
- Harry Hamlin as Hancock, Roberta Collaredo's boyfriend
- Mariska Hargitay as Darcy, an editor at A Magazine
- Gaby Hoffmann as Gabriella Mancini, Lorenzo Mancini's daughter
- Robert Joy as Andrew, Lorenzo Mancini's butler
- Kyle MacLachlan as the business manager pitching Lorenzo Mancini the extravagant "music underwear" idea
- Michelle Monaghan as Penny, Roberta Collaredo's model who decides to leave her atelier
- Nabila Khashoggi as Kelley
- Steven Chester Prince as Denis, Roberta Collaredo's business manager
- Sonja Sohn as Dandy, Arrianne's agent
- Michael Sorvino as Mario Mancini, Lorenzo Mancini's son[7]
- Lee Tergesen as a lawyer
- Amber Valletta as Blair, Roberta Collaredo's shoe designer
- Estella Warren as Arrianne, a model who refuses to do a nude shot with Anthony
- Michelle Williams as Halley Crawford, Janice Crawford's estranged daughter[7]
- Harris Yulin as Phillip Brosco, a high-ranking manager at Fantasia
Production
The film was shot in 20 days in New York. All actors were required to improvise their own dialogue based on a detailed outline by Michael Rymer and L.M. Kit Carson.[9][1]
Jeff Goldblum served as an executive producer.[9]
Reception
Todd McCarthy of Variety wrote, "Another attempt to nail the fashion industry, Perfume is more coherent and serious-minded than Robert Altman's mess Ready to Wear, but remains a less alluring creation."[1] McCarthy noted the characters felt thinly developed and lamented how the film’s "lack of interest in exposition, basic information about the relationships of many of the characters — whom they work for and why they’re behaving the way they are — remains vague for a considerable time."[1] Buzz McClain of AllMovie was more critical, writing, "In the end, you learn nothing about the fashion industry, you glean no insight into the characters, and you feel as if you've watched an acting class of self-conscious performers. If anything, Perfume only serves to point out how good Altman is."[10]
References
- McCarthy, Todd (February 1, 2001). "Perfume". Variety. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- "Perfume (2001)". The Armchair Critic. July 13, 2007. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- "Perfume (2001)". letterboxd.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- "Perfume 2002". Rotten Tomatoes. April 16, 2002. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- "Perfume". blu-ray.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- "Perfume". oldies.com.
- "'Perfume' : Story, Preview, First Day Box Office Collection". filmibeat.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- "'Perfume' : Film Locations". onthesetofnewyork.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- McLean, Thomas J. (February 20, 2001). "Drama spotlight: Perfume". Variety. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- McClain, Buzz. "Perfume". AllMovie. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- "36 Years of Nominees and Winners" (PDF). Film Independent. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
External links
- Perfume at IMDb
- Perfume at Rotten Tomatoes
- Perfume at AllMovie
- "Perfume (Movie Review)". EricDSnider.com.
- "Perfume (Movie Review)". eFilmCritic.