The film treads the cobblestones of 18th century Europe as it recounts the tale of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw) and his legendary olfactory senses.  You see, Grenouille was born with an uncanny penchant for sensing aroma.  Even as an infant, he reacted more with his nose than with his eyes or ears.

He was born and discarded as stillborn on the filthy streets of a Parisian fishmarket.  Raised in an orphanage, Grenouille cultivated his extraordinary skill to the point of perfection.

As he emerges into the harsh life of adulthood, Grenouille is forced to work 18 hours a day in virtual slave labor -- never speaking much or making any friends.  However, on a rare trip to the wealthier side of the city, he is struck by a scent that pulls him ever nearer.  It is the closest he can come to true love.

In a truly intense and beautifully lit scene, he stalks his precious scent until he finds the lovely girl (Karoline Herfurth) cutting plums alone in the dark.  The tragedy that ensues not only kills the girl, but her magnificent scent too.  He is unable to preserve the scent and is determined to search for a solution to his problem.

Rachel Hurd-Wood is the key to 'scentual' perfection.

Grenouille eventually finds Baldini (Dustin Hoffman), a famed French parfumier who has fallen on hard times.  Together, they form a partnership of sorts.  Grenouille provides some sublime perfume combinations and, in return, Baldini teaches him how to preserve scents.

This knowledge, however, is the key to unlocking Grenouille's hideous plans.  You see, he intends to create the ultimate scent by using the aroma of beautiful women.  To do so, he will have to kill.

Evading the hunter, but drawn to the chase.

"Perfume" is endlessly fascinating with its complex and layered story.  It is visually haunting, giving the viewer a truly sense-heightening experience.  Every frame of this film is a treat to behold.  Our masterful director is one of the most talented artists in recent cinema history.  His stories are always concerned with what's beneath the luxurious surface.

The film meanders to an utterly surreal final act, which is simultaneously puzzling, beautiful and entirely metaphorical in nature.  I must admit that I found it difficult to pinpoint what, if anything, the story was trying to tell.  I know I enjoyed the film.  I was consistently intrigued.  It felt like I was smelling someone cooking a fabulous meal, but I just couldn't get to it or pinpoint its location.

The performances were all tremendous.  Ben Whishaw has a very tricky lead role -- he handles the understated and muted emotion of it with aplomb.  Special praise must also be given to Rachel Hurd Wood and Karoline Herfurth who, although slightly underused in the narrative, were both terrific and will assuredly be on the shortlist for new star material.

"Perfume" is a great film with enormous scope and ambition.  Perhaps the novel would have been able to discuss the angles more acutely.  It just feels a smidge too vague to be considered a masterpiece.  Still, I highly recommend this film to regular art house fans and those who find Tykwer to be as brilliant a director as I do.

Surrendering to destiny.