Her Smell

Last updated
Her Smell
Hersmellposter.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Alex Ross Perry
Written byAlex Ross Perry
Produced by
  • Elisabeth Moss
  • Matthew Perniciaro
  • Alex Ross Perry
  • Adam Piotrowicz
  • Michael Sherman
Starring
Cinematography Sean Price Williams
Edited by Robert Greene
Music by
Production
companies
  • Bow and Arrow Entertainment
  • Faliro House Productions
Distributed by Gunpowder & Sky
Release dates
  • September 9, 2018 (2018-09-09)(TIFF)
  • April 12, 2019 (2019-04-12)(United States)
Running time
135 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$260,481 [2]

Her Smell is a 2018 American drama film written, co-produced and directed by Alex Ross Perry. It stars Elisabeth Moss, Cara Delevingne, Dan Stevens, Agyness Deyn, Gayle Rankin, Ashley Benson, Dylan Gelula, Eka Darville and Lindsay Burdge and follows Moss as fictional rock star Becky Something, whose band experiences brief fame but is broken up by her self-destructive behavior.

Contents

Her Smell had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2018, and had its general release on April 12, 2019, by Gunpowder & Sky. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who particularly praised Moss's acting.

Plot

The film is told with five distinct scenes punctuated with some home movie footage from early in the band's career when they were successful—appearing on magazine covers, attending photo shoots, and receiving gold records.

In the first scene, punk rock group, Something She, wraps up a show and lead vocalist, Becky Something, goes backstage to attend a brief ceremony with her personal shaman. Her mood swings violently from happy to aggressive as her bandmates, ex-husband, manager, and a former musical collaborator all try to steer her toward positive choices: recording their next album, playing future shows, and finding stability for her child. The scene ends as she turns a corner with her infant in her hands and falls over inebriated, vomiting on herself.

In the second vignette, Something She is in the studio several months later, aimlessly trying to record the band's next album. Drummer Ali van der Wolff becomes frustrated and quits, followed by bassist Marielle Hell, leaving their manager Howard Goodman distraught as he tries to clear the space for his new band Akergirls to record. Becky refuses to leave and butts in on their session.

The third scene is set after Akergirls have become famous and Becky is opening their show, with Ali back to support her. She shows up two hours late with a film crew in tow, berating her ex-husband, Danny, and her mother, Ania, who are the last persons in her life still willing to put up with her selfishness. When Ania gives her some papers from her estranged father, Becky becomes violently upset and hurls verbal abuse at her mother and assaults Ali before rushing onstage and collapsing into another stupor.

Several years later, Becky is sober and her daughter Tama, now a young girl, is coming to visit. As Dan drops her off, he gives his ex some paperwork for some of the many lawsuits facing Becky and tells her that Mari has also come with them. Becky has brief tender moments with all three, but her thinking appears disordered: she believes that leaving her house will kill her and that her love for her daughter will destroy her; she also recounts a dream from a past life that she thinks justifies her cruelty and selfishness toward her ex.

In the final piece, 11 years have passed since Howard first signed Something She and four years since they have performed together, but they have reunited to perform a single song at a showcase event that features all of Howard's popular musical acts. Becky appears nervous and has to rely on all of the musicians performing a seance with her before she can gather her courage to go onstage. She briefly walks away after cryptically thanking all of them for staying with her until the end. Several of her loved ones become concerned, but they find her ready to take the stage and she performs one song with her bandmates and fellow musicians all collaborating. It is successful and they step backstage where Howard tells her the crowd wants more and asks if she has another one in her. Becky says that she is done, embracing Tama and smelling her hair.

Cast

Production

In January 2018, it was announced Elisabeth Moss would star in the film, with Alex Ross Perry directing from a screenplay he wrote. Perry and Moss also served as producers on the film, alongside Matthew Perniciaro, Michael Sherman, and Adam Piotrowicz under their Bow and Arrow Entertainment banner. [3] In April 2018, Agyness Deyn, Gayle Rankin and Amber Heard joined the cast of the film. [4] [5] In May 2018, it was announced that Ashley Benson, Cara Delevingne, Dan Stevens, Eric Stoltz, Virginia Madsen and Dylan Gelula joined the cast of the film. [6] [7] Keegan DeWitt composed the film's score. [8]

Principal photography began on April 23, 2018, in New York City. [9] Production concluded on May 18, 2018. [10]

Moss called the performance her most physically challenging in a 2020 interview for Bullseye with Jesse Thorn . [11]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2018. [12] It also screened at the New York Film Festival on September 29, 2018. [13] [14] Shortly after, Gunpowder & Sky acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film. [15] It also screened at AFI Fest on November 10, 2018. [16] [17] and was screened at South by Southwest in March 2019. [18] It was released on April 12, 2019. [19]

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 84% based on 140 reviews, and an average rating of 7.3/10. [20] The site's critical consensus reads: "Held together by a gripping lead performance from Elisabeth Moss, Her Smell is challenging and admittedly uneven, but ultimately worth the effort." On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 70 out of 100, based on 24 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [21] A. A. Dowd of The A.V. Club gave the film a B+, praising Moss's performance in particular and the film's attempt to de-glamorize the rock and roll lifestyle. [22] The publication later placed it fifty-fifth in their 100 best films of the decade [23] and sixth-best of 2019. [24]

On 27 November 2019, Perry wrote an open letter that premiered on IndieWire urging the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to consider Moss for the Academy Award for Best Actress at their 2020 ceremony. [25]

Soundtrack

The film's original rock music was written by Bully's Alicia Bognanno and Anika Pyle along with her bandmates from the band Katie Ellen, with the score composed by Keegan DeWitt. A promotional music video for "Can't Wait" by Akergirls was released and a 3 vinyl LP of the music was released by Waxwork Records. [26]

Track listing

Two LP score and soundtrack

Side A
  1. "Prologue"
  2. "Act I"
Side B
  1. "Mari"
  2. "Act II Part 1"
  3. "Act II Part 2"
Side C
  1. "Act III"
Side D
  1. "Acts IV & V"
  2. "The End"

Bonus EP of original music

Side A
  1. "Breathe" (Alicia Bognanno) by Something She
  2. "Pulled Down" (Alicia Bognanno) by Becky Something
Side B
  1. "Can't Wait" (Anika Pyle) by Akergirls
  2. "Control" (Alicia Bognanno) by Becky Something

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giovanni Ribisi</span> American actor (born 1974)

Antonino Giovanni Ribisi is an American actor and cinematographer. He has appeared in the films Saving Private Ryan (1998), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), Heaven (2002), Lost In Translation (2003), Flight of the Phoenix (2004), Perfect Stranger (2007), Avatar (2009), Public Enemies (2009), Gangster Squad (2013), A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), and Papa: Hemingway in Cuba (2015). He had starring roles in the TV sitcom Dads (2013–2014) and the crime drama series Sneaky Pete (2015–2019). He also had recurring roles in television series such as The Wonder Years (1992–1993), Friends and My Name Is Earl (2005–2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Benson</span> American actress (born 1989)

Ashley Victoria Benson is an American actress and singer. She is known for her role as Hanna Marin in the teen mystery-drama series Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017). Benson has starred in films, including Bring It On: In It to Win It (2007), Christmas Cupid (2010), Spring Breakers (2012), Ratter (2015), Chronically Metropolitan (2016), Her Smell (2018), and Private Property (2022). She has received various accolades, including four Teen Choice Awards, a Young Hollywood Award, as well as three People's Choice Award nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elisabeth Moss</span> American actor (born 1982)

Elisabeth Singleton Moss is an American actor and producer. For her work in television dramas, she has received two Golden Globe Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards, and Vulture named her the "Queen of Peak TV" in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agyness Deyn</span> English model and actress (born 1983)

Agyness Deyn is an English model and actress. She is best known for her successful modelling career in the 2000s, and has been called one of the decade's top models. Since her retirement from modelling in the 2010s, she has pursued acting and design, among other ventures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Films</span>

Hurricane Films is a film production company based in Liverpool, England. It has produced both documentaries and fiction films at both short and feature length. It is best known for Terence Davies' feature-length documentary Of Time and the City (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cara Delevingne</span> English model and actress (born 1992)

Cara Jocelyn Delevingne is an English model and actress. She signed with Storm Management after leaving school in 2009. Delevingne won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2012 and 2014, and has also received three Teen Choice Awards and nominations for a British Independent Film Award and an MTV Movie & TV Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Ross Perry</span> American filmmaker and actor

Alex Ross Perry is an American filmmaker and actor. Prolific in independent film, he is best known for writing and directing Listen Up Philip (2014) and Her Smell (2018).

<i>Listen Up Philip</i> 2014 film by Alex Ross Perry

Listen Up Philip is a 2014 comedy-drama film written and directed by Alex Ross Perry. The film had its world premiere at 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2014, and won the Special Jury Prize at the 2014 Locarno International Film Festival.

Dylan Nicole Gelula is an American actress who is best known for her role of Xanthippe on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, as well as her work in independent film. Gelula made her film debut as the lead actress in romantic drama film First Girl I Loved (2016) and has since acted in the films Flower (2017), Support the Girls (2018), Her Smell (2018), Shithouse (2020), and Dream Scenario (2023).

<i>Queen of Earth</i> 2015 film by Alex Ross Perry

Queen of Earth is a 2015 American psychological thriller film written, co-produced and directed by Alex Ross Perry. The film stars Elisabeth Moss, Katherine Waterston and Patrick Fugit.

<i>Electricity</i> (film) 2014 British film

Electricity is a 2014 British film directed by Bryn Higgins, starring Agyness Deyn, Lenora Crichlow and Christian Cooke. the film is about the journey seen through the eyes of a young woman with epilepsy. Electricity is an adaptation of the 2006 novel by Ray Robinson. It was produced in Saltburn-by-the-Sea in June 2013; some filming was carried out in London and in North East England. The film was released on 12 December 2014.

<i>Sunset Song</i> (film) 2015 film

Sunset Song is a 2015 British drama film written and directed by Terence Davies and starring Agyness Deyn, Peter Mullan and Kevin Guthrie. It is an adaptation of Lewis Grassic Gibbon's 1932 novel of the same name. It was shown in the Special Presentations section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in the United Kingdom on 4 December 2015. The film follows Chris Guthrie, the daughter of a Scottish farmer in the early 1900s.

<i>The White King</i> (film) 2016 British science fiction-drama film

The White King is a 2016 British science fiction-drama film written and directed by Alex Helfrecht and Jörg Tittel. It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name written by György Dragomán and follows Djata growing up in a dictatorship, without access to the rest of the world, while dealing with persecution against him and his parents by the government. It had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and its international premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

Gayle Rankin is a Scottish actress. She is known for her role as Sheila in the Netflix series GLOW (2017–2019). She also played Emily Dodson in the HBO series Perry Mason (2020). Her films include The Greatest Showman (2017), Her Smell (2018), Blow the Man Down, and The Climb.

<i>The Titan</i> (film) 2018 science fiction film

The Titan is a 2018 science fiction thriller film directed by Lennart Ruff and starring Sam Worthington, Taylor Schilling and Tom Wilkinson. The screenplay was written by Max Hurwitz, with the story by Arash Amel. The film is an international co-production between the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and Spain.

<i>In a Relationship</i> 2018 film by Sam Boyd

In a Relationship is a 2018 American romantic drama film, written and directed by Sam Boyd. It stars Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano, Dree Hemingway, Patrick Gibson, Jay Ellis, and Melora Walters, and focuses the relationship of two couples over one summer.

<i>Blow the Man Down</i> (film) 2019 American drama mystery film

Blow the Man Down is a 2019 American black comedy thriller film, written and directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy. It stars Morgan Saylor, Sophie Lowe, Annette O'Toole, Marceline Hugot, Gayle Rankin, Will Brittain, Skipp Sudduth, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, June Squibb, and Margo Martindale.

<i>A Faithful Man</i> 2018 film by Louis Garrel

A Faithful Man is a 2018 French romantic comedy-drama film directed by Louis Garrel, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jean-Claude Carrière. It stars Laetitia Casta, Lily-Rose Depp, Joseph Engel and Garrel.

<i>The Climb</i> (2019 film) 2019 film

The Climb is a 2019 American comedy-drama film written, produced by and starring Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin. Covino also directs, while Gayle Rankin, Talia Balsam, George Wendt, and Judith Godrèche also star. Based on Covino and Marvin's short film of the same name, the plot follows two friends and looks into their lives over several years.

Ania Freer is an Australian-Jamaican documentary filmmaker. She has documented oral histories of the people of Jamaica as a curator and through her filmmaking. Her film Strictly Two Wheel won the Best Documentary Short Film Award at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival in 2022. Born in Sydney, Australia, Freer graduated from the University of Sydney. She has exhibited at the National Gallery of Jamaica.

References

  1. "Her Smell". Toronto International Film Festival . Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  2. "Her Smell". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  3. Hipes, Patrick (January 29, 2018). "Elisabeth Moss & Alex Ross Perry Reteam For His New Film 'Her Smell'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  4. Galuppo, Mia (April 13, 2018). "Agyness Deyn, 'GLOW' Star Gayle Rankin Join Elisabeth Moss in 'Her Smell' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  5. Kroll, Justin (April 25, 2018). "Amber Heard Joins Elisabeth Moss in Drama 'Her Smell' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  6. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 23, 2018). "'Pretty Little Liars' Ashley Benson Signs With ICM Partners". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  7. McNary, Dave (May 8, 2018). "Cara Delevingne, Dan Stevens Join Elisabeth Moss in 'Her Smell'". Variety . Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  8. "Keegan DeWitt to Score Alex Ross Perry's 'Her Smell'". FilmMusicReporter. June 8, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  9. Moss, Elisabeth (April 23, 2018). "End of day 1 on Her Smell the movie...you can take the girl out of Toronto but you can't take Toronto out of the girl 😘 #GLG". Instagram.com . Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  10. Perry, Alex Ross (May 18, 2018). "That's a wrap on HER SMELL". Instagram.com . Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  11. "Elisabeth Moss: Bullseye with Jesse Thorn". Bullseye with Jesse Thorn . June 2, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  12. Vlessing, Etan (August 8, 2018). "Toronto: Nicole Kidman Starrer 'Destroyer,' Alex Ross Perry's 'Her Smell' Join Festival Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  13. Siegel, Tatiana (August 7, 2018). "Elisabeth Moss Punk Rock Drama 'Her Smell' to Screen at New York Film Fest". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  14. "Her Smell". New York Film Festival . Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  15. Hipes, Patrick (October 4, 2018). "Elisabeth Moss' 'Her Smell' Acquired By Gunpowder & Sky For 2019 Bow". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  16. "Announcing AFI FEST 2018 New Auteurs and American Independents Lineups". American Film Institute . October 4, 2018. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  17. "Her Smell". AFI Fest . Archived from the original on November 4, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  18. Nolfi, Joey (February 7, 2019). "Pet Sematary remake to world premiere at 2019 SXSW Film Festival". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  19. "Gunpowder & Sky to Release HER SMELL Starring Elisabeth Moss". Broadway World. November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  20. "Her Smell". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  21. "Her Smell Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  22. Dowd, A. A. (April 9, 2019). "Elisabeth Moss Unleashes Her Inner Courtney Love in the Bravely Abrasive Rock Drama Her Smell". The A.V. Club .
  23. Shoemaker, Allison (November 18, 2019). "The A.V. Club's 100 Best Movies of the 2010s". The A.V. Club . Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  24. D'Angelo, Mike (December 16, 2019). "The 25 Best Films of 2019". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  25. Sharf, Zack (November 27, 2019). "Alex Ross Perry Writes Letter Campaigning Elisabeth Moss for Best Actress".
  26. Arcand, Rob (April 20, 2019). "Her Smell Soundtrack to Be Released on Vinyl". Spin . Retrieved May 5, 2019.