Le parfum de la dame en noir (2005)

Director:

Bruno Podalydès

Writers:

Gaston Leroux (novel), Bruno Podalydès (scenario)

Stars:

Denis Podalydès, Sabine Azéma, Zabou Breitman

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Denis Podalydès	...	Joseph Rouletabille
Sabine Azéma	...	Mathilde Stangerson
Zabou Breitman	...	Edith Rance
Olivier Gourmet	...	Robert Darzac
Jean-Noël Brouté	...	Sainclair
Pierre Arditi	...	Frédéric Larsan / Naja-Bey
Vincent Elbaz	...	Prince Galitch
Michael Lonsdale	...	Le professeur Stangerson
Julos Beaucarne	...	Le père Jacques / Vieux Bob
Isabelle Candelier	...	Mme Bernier
Dominique Parent	...	M. Bernier
Bruno Podalydès	...	Arthur Rance
Michel Vuillermoz	...	Le curé
Roger Roka	...	Rikki Matoni
Vincent Vedo Velli	...	Brignolles (as Vincent Vedovelli)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Details

Official Sites:

UGC [fr]

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

14 September 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

Das Parfüm der Dame in Schwarz

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$1,074,427 (France) (16 September 2005)

Gross:

$1,074,427 (France) (16 September 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Why Not Productions, France 2 Cinéma, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Follows The Mystery of the Yellow Room (2003)

User Reviews

Art-house adaptation with a stellar cast.

I find it difficult to write anything about this odd gem. Don't expect a hard logical development like in an Agatha Christie book adaptation. From the start, in the character's description, you know you are in front of a farcical/ burlesque whodunit.

Like in Resnais'"Les herbes folles", "On connaît la chanson" and "Smoking/No Smoking" (all starring the perfect actress, Sabine Azema, the last two also with Pierre Arditi as on this film) this films relates more to the brain than to "our hearts", to simplify it.

Some will call this kind of film "typically French", I really don't think so; in any case I hope not :).

The technical aspects are of course perfect, images in particular.

Directed by the brother of actor Denis Podalydès, who also has a family relation playing himself as a child, this film feels like those fanzines that make roar of laughter some selected club of "insiders", and leave the rest wondering what's it all about. Don't get me wrong, I liked having watched this film, but I understand it's not for everybody.

My favourite scene is when Rouletabille is trying to hide himself, but ends up making noises in the most unbelievable of ways, like a "mad machine".

Enjoy.