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Le parfum du succès (2009)

The Smell of Success (original title)
PG-13 | | Comedy | 29 June 2011 (France)
Trailer
2:41 | Trailer
A comedy about manure salesmen in 1960s heartland America.

Director:

Michael Polish (as Larry Smith)
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Billy Bob Thornton ... Patrick
Téa Leoni ... Rosemary Rose
Mark Polish ... Thaddeus Young
Ed Helms ... Chet Pigford
Kyle MacLachlan ... Jimmy St. James
Pruitt Taylor Vince ... Cleveland Clod
Frances Conroy ... Agnes May
Jon Gries ... Early Dunchamp
Richard Edson ... Nelly the Nose
D.W. Moffett ... Agent Chestnut
Scott Michael Campbell ... Mr. Diehl
Patrick Bauchau ... Mr. Rose
Aria Alpert Adjani ... Mrs. Smith (as Aria Alpert)
David A. Cooper ... Miracle Worker #1
Erin O'Shaughnessy ... Mrs. Diehl
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Storyline

When a tragic accident ends the life of Mr. Rose, the genius behind Rose's Manure Company, the livelihood of its loyal fleet of salesmen threatens to go, as they say, into the toilet. Enter estranged daughter Rosemary, a high-class- cosmetics salesgirl, who steps in to take control. She is not sure she has a nose for the family business, but she is determined to make foul into profit. Little does she know that a ruthless, slick-talking fertilizer rep is plotting a takeover. Whether she likes it or not, she must trust her top salesman, Patrick Fitzpatrick, to devise a plan to regain Rose's rightful position on top of the heap. Written by S. Dance

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Don't Hold Your Breath!

Genres:

Comedy

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language and a drug situation | See all certifications »
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Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Agent Chestnut: [switches on recorder] Agent Chestnut, Federal Trade Commission interview. Please state your full name.
Patrick: Patrick Fitzpatrick.
Agent Chestnut: Mr. Fitzpatrick, were you aware of the financial difficulties at Rose's manure?
Patrick: No.
Agent Chestnut: Really? Because by all accounts and sales records, Mr. Rose considered *you* his Number 2. And you want me to believe Mr. Rose never mentioned it?
Patrick: Never.
Agent Chestnut: Well, you will not be allowed to operate or sell anything until I have competed my investigation.
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Soundtracks

Piedmont Blues
Written by Kenneth Anderson
Performed by Apple Trax
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User Reviews

The Literal Smell Of Success
31 December 2012 | by ChrysanthepopSee all my reviews

The 'Smell of Success' seems quite an an odd title for the film but a couple of minutes into the movie, I realized that the makers were being quite literal. Anyway, it's nice to see that there's a film about the fertilizing industry in the 50s and one that doesn't rely on toilet humour. First of all, most of the jokes were quite funny. I laughed at a number of them even though a few of them were overdone (for example the breast augmentation jokes, the jumping from the plane etc).

The visuals are beautiful. Despite being sepia tinted and almost devoid of colour, they look quite artistic. Most of the frames look like beautiful paintings. The 50s look is also very well captured thanks to the fine art direction costume and makeup.

Billy Bob Thornton does a decent job as the head fertilizer salesman who suddenly feels threatened by sensational Rose and undermines her in his attempts. Tèa Leoni is amazing, proving her comedic fort once again. Frances Conroy is a delight. Mark Polish, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Ed Helm provide good support. Kyle Machlachlan too isn't bad as the smug antagonist.

I only felt that the story lacked consistency. It would occasionally delve into subplots that are never developed. As stated earlier, some of the jokes were overdone and felt repetitive. Given the concept, it could have been a funnier flick but for some reason the Polish Brothers restrain.

Yet, it's a decent watch. A film that certainly has charms with some classy creative toilet humour.


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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 June 2011 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

Le parfum du succès See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$9,600,000 (estimated)
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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