Film Title
Perfect Sense
Director
David Mackenzie
Starring
- Ewan McGregor as Michael
- Eva Green as Susan
A haunting science fiction drama about two people who come together just as an epidemic begins, Perfect Sense is brooding, compelling and evocative.
In Glasgow, the happy-go-lucky Michael is a chef working in a restaurant. Living in the flat nearby is Susan, an epidemiologist who has been called in to determine the cause of a most unusual case. In the space of 24 hours and occurring around the world, many people have lost their sense of smell after experiencing outbursts of uncontrolled emotion. The case begins to baffle Susan and her fellow workers as it continues to spread. Meanwhile, Michael and Susan meet and there is an obvious attraction between the two, who begin seeing each other romantically. But the epidemic begins to get worse as another sense is robbed from people, continuing on and on without warning or knowledge. Susan and Michael’s relationship is threatened as the epidemic begins to rapidly take over and society falls into chaos around them. As the epidemic reaches a fever pitch, there is still no explanation of the cause and how it is spreading so quickly and insidiously. The question is, can anyone survive this epidemic before every sense is gone? And can Susan and Michael’s fledgling relationship continue as events get darker?
From what I’ve read when Perfect Sense was released back in 2011, it was met with somewhat ambivalent reviews. I really can’t see why this is because the movie is fascinating on so many levels. While it has elements you can attribute to the science fiction genre, there is something achingly human about it. David Mackenzie successfully delves into the themes of what happens when something we rely so much on is gone and the way something that can’t be explained can impact on society. There are no real easy answers in Perfect Sense, nor should there be as Mackenzie crafts a melancholy examination of human endurance when a situation looks dire and the sense of loss that comes along as each sense is robbed from the population. The biggest question of all is ‘If the epidemic is related to emotions, how are we as humans meant to survive?’ There is a haunted quality to Perfect Sense that is perfectly embodied by the grey cinematography. Right from the beginning, there is a feeling of unease and darkness as the muted colours and scenery are rendered into a dour picture of uncertainty and sadness. And refreshingly though there is a romantic connection between the main characters, it doesn’t feel tacked on or needless. It actually lends the movie that something else that sets it apart from other science fiction movies. The morose narration reflects on the way that we take for granted what we have and is highly evocative in scenes shown around the world as the senses are taken from the unsuspecting. A trickling music score gives quiet voice to the encroaching panic that the epidemic spawns and the implications it has for Susan and Michael.
Heading the film is the excellent work of Ewan McGregor and Eva Green. Both are at their best playing these characters who are ordinary people caught in this time of horror that we can relate to. The characters are flawed just like everyone is and the performances really let both of them show off their skills. Embodying extreme emotions with subtlety and grace, McGregor and Green are nothing short of fantastic at investing Perfect Sense with a humanity and pathos that compliments the haunting tone of the film.
A foreboding film with a definite human heart, Perfect Sense is unusual but highly intriguing viewing as it explores so many avenues of possibilities, but refuses to pander to the audience that in turn leaves a feeling of mystery.
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I completely missed this! This is definitely my cup of tea, particularly as I love Ewan McGregor and Eva Green. Phenomenal review Vinnie!
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vinnieh said:
I think it was overlooked upon release which is a real shame.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m so glad you chose this to review!
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vinnieh said:
I felt I could write a lot about this movie. It had a lot of layers to it and was intriguing at looking at how important our senses are. You witness the ways that the people try to adapt to their new situation but in a way it is all in vain.
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fragglerocking said:
I agree with that! I have to see this now.
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vinnieh said:
It’s wonderful to see such a nice response to this, I love bringing overlooked movies to a wider attention.
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Alex said:
I am in the same boat as the previous comment and I missed it, too! This seems like something I would totally be into, too. AND Ewan McGregor ? Yes, please.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a haunting and unusual movie but very engaging and a little disturbing. I take it you are a fan of Ewan McGregor then?
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Alex said:
He’s very very rarely been a disappointment!
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vinnieh said:
I like him as an actor, he is reliable and rarely puts a foot wrong.
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Michael said:
Well Vinnieh, this review makes perfect sense😉 I’m intrigued by this idea of emotion leading to loss of senses…an interesting dynamic as emotions are often suppressed and lead to loss of sensuality.
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vinnieh said:
It is very intriguing to watch as emotion is a natural thing for humans, so when it seems to lead to something like this, what are we to do? It has a lot of layers to it.
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beetleypete said:
This rings a bell, but I am not 100% sure that I have seen it. Eva Green is always worth watching (Ewan less so, I find) so I will have to catch up with it, and see if it comes back to me.
Best wishes, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Eva Green is wonderful, her delivery is always solid and subtle. I think you should give it a look Pete.
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Mark Walker said:
So glad to see that you enjoyed this one, Vinnie. It’s a fabulous film and shamefully overlooked upon its release. It deserves a bigger audience.
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vinnieh said:
Hey Mark, it was after reading your review that I saw this film. I have you to thank for bringing it to my attention.
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Mark Walker said:
Happy to be of service, Vinnie. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Your service is amazing Mark.
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Eddy Winko said:
I’ll have to find a copy, sounds like it would be worth watching with the missus 🙂
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vinnieh said:
It is superbly intriguing and unusual stuff.
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susannahhtaylor said:
I can’t believe I missed out on Ewan Mcgregor and Eva Green together!! I need to watch it ASAP!!
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vinnieh said:
They are really excellent working together.
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susannahhtaylor said:
Can’t wait to watch it!
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vinnieh said:
I very much look forward to hearing what you think. It’s definitely an unusual and very different movie, but very intriguing with the ideas it portrays.
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susannahhtaylor said:
I remember this movie that I saw a few years ago called Contagion. The storyline for Perfect Sense reminds of it
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vinnieh said:
I saw Contagion too, very good movie.
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susannahhtaylor said:
Yes! It really is a good movie.
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vinnieh said:
Really tapped into the panic and fear of when disease and misinformation spreads.
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susannahhtaylor said:
And it was a really clear & plausible picture too
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vinnieh said:
I could wax lyrical about this movie for days.
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susannahhtaylor said:
I agree
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vinnieh said:
I have loved reading the response to this review.
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susannahhtaylor said:
I cannot wait to watch it! I hope I get time in the coming days
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vinnieh said:
Enjoy.
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ruth said:
Beautiful review Vinnie! I’ve been meaning to see this as I love both McGregor and Eva Green. Thanks for reminding me I should see this soon!
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vinnieh said:
It is such an underrated movie, I am glad to bring more attention to it.
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star010 said:
Complete agree with you. I stumbled upon this movie on Netflix by complete accident and as a recommendation. When I read that it had these two leads, I was sold and watched it. I thought it was a very good one, evocative and moving (I would go on, but I rather not). It should’ve been promoted more and it’s something different. Completely unpredictable. More movies should be made like this.
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vinnieh said:
It was very unpredictable wasn’t it? I liked that about it, it never felt generic of cookie cutter.
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star010 said:
Exactly! The story was quite simple, but moving, which again very rare to find in Hollywood movies and usually it’s found more with indie movies.
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vinnieh said:
I like to have a story that is moving yet different from the usual stuff.
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star010 said:
I do too!
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vinnieh said:
I like it when a movie takes another approach and not one we have seen countless times before it.
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star010 said:
We have the same taste. I think I’m gonna rewatch it hahaha
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vinnieh said:
I pride myself on good taste.
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star010 said:
Hahaha you are not the only one!
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Annelise Lestrange said:
I love Eva Green, but this is far from my type of movie, haha! I’m more blockbuster / animation person, oops!
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vinnieh said:
I’m sure you’d still find this an interesting movie. It plays with a lot of themes and has depth to it.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
Fair enough, haha!
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vinnieh said:
If you get a chance to see it, be sure to let me know what you made of it.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
I promise ❤
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vinnieh said:
Thank you Annelise.
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CineMuse said:
Thanks to your excellent review, I’m now forced to find this film. Shame on you vinnieh!
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vinnieh said:
Haha, just doing my job as a movie reviewer.
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ireckonthat said:
I am still fascinated by this film, and I saw it about a year and a half ago. I still think of how cruel it was, and how urgent and painful yet romantic and there was some misplaced hope… thanks for reminding me!
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vinnieh said:
It elicited so many different emotions from me which I can see was the idea. I couldn’t imagine a world in which senses are all deprived.
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abbiosbiston said:
How have I never even heard of this one?
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vinnieh said:
It was unfairly overlooked upon release, that’s probably why.
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jwforeva said:
Looks like a really complex film about the human condition and relationships. Your review’s really great and it’s got me excited to watch it right now 🙂 Literally right now. Eva green’s so beautiful, but that ain’t even the reason why I wanna watch this so bad. I’m quite intrigued by the idea of sci-fi with a mix of something so real, kind of why I like Her so much as well.
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vinnieh said:
I love when a film taps into a lot of themes, something so interesting about it. And when a sci-fi movie manages to have humanity and it is done well like here, it is something very special.
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Lloyd Marken said:
Another one to add to the list Vinnie thanks to you. I have not seen the film but I was wondering do you think given the disease relates to emotions and loss of senses whether it is a metaphor for social isolation in the modern world? Your review has made this film very intriguing. I was wondering if you had seen Seeking A Friend for the End of the Wold which I quite enjoyed.
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vinnieh said:
I suppose you could definitely look at the film as a metaphor for social isolation. Very good point.
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Lloyd Marken said:
Your excellent review got me thinking about it.
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vinnieh said:
I like when my reviews have that affect.
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Remco said:
Hi Vinnieh! I’m glad you enjoyed Perfect Sense 🙂 It’s a powerful movie.
Anyway, I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. I know you have done at least one before, but I hope that you will find some time between the butts and movies for another round.
You can find the details on my blog:
Hope you will join the fun!
Cheers,
Remco
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the nomination, I’ll be sure to get to it in the next few days or so.
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