Observation 10

1. We believe that this film intends to argue that everyone has the right to life and even the oddest talents should be appreciated. Jean has an extraordinary sense of smell and though he is looked down upon by fellow orphans, workers and citizens the most important thing is that he has a passion for something and devotes his life to pursuing his ultimate dream of capturing and creating the perfect perfume.

2. Even though scents can not be shown the film portrays it in other ways to the extent that you feel as if you can actually smell the scents shown. Visuals and audios enhance the film and gives the audience a better idea of what Jean is experiencing. In scenes such as the perfume store full of wealthy women, ethos is used to associate being rich and powerful with the luxury of having perfumes.

3. Colors, light and shadowing are a huge part of the film. Goodness is shown thorough bright colors and lightness while bad times are shown in dark light and dull gloomy colors, such as in the tannery, orphanage, the opening scene and at his birth. While bright colors such as reds, whites, blues and golds are used to emphasize Jean’s happier times like when he smells a pleasant scent and when he is released from the orphanage. Music is used to make scenes more dramatic and match Jean’s mood such as when he is first released from the orphanage the music is light and happy in comparison to the rest of the film. Makeup and costumes make the film more believable and depict styles of the era and location. The wealthy are shown in rich tones while the poor, such as Jean, are shown in dull ragged clothing. The makeup of the lower class makes them appear dirty and there for makes their situations more believable. While the wealthy men and women wore classy makeup. In one of the happy scenes a woman is shown applying lipstick which Jean seemed to enjoy. The environment is descriptive of Jean’s mood and the smell associated with the scene. The lighting, shadowing and colors tie in with the aura and tone of the environment.

4. So far we have really enjoyed the film, besides some of the gruesomeness, and we are looking forward to seeing how it progresses.


Janine Ashley, Katie Hurst, and Grace Wallerstedt