The Story of a Murderer

Posted 1 year, 6 months ago at 10:29 am. 0 comments

So, on the day that Saddam Hussein was hung for crimes against humanity, I was sat in a Manchester cinema watching Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.  Aside from the unpleasant casting of Dustin Hoffman, some inevitable incongruities with the book (which is superb) and the fact that Grenouille is supposed to be ugly and yet Ben Whishaw is not, it was enjoyable.  There were still plenty of close-up nose shots, which I guess is the easiest (if not the most subtle) way of demonstrating a character smelling something on film.

In contrast, video of Saddam’s death is apparently already leaking onto the internet, filmed on somebody’s cellphone.  I’ve no doubt it will be as hungrily sought by fans as by foes of the man, and I’m equally sure that neither will be satisfied by the footage.  A tenth of a second till death, no flailing limbs or muffled squeals; quite the contrast to the cinematic demise we’re used to seeing on screens both small and silver.  Perhaps they should’ve got someone to direct and choreograph it.