Perfect Sense

Perfect Sense

(David Mackenzie, 2011)

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: A deeply human drama with sci-fi undertones, 'Perfect Sense' follows two lovers navigating through life as a virus robs people of their senses one by one.

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'Perfect Sense' has a sci-fi backstory but its director David Mackenzie and writer Kim Fupz Aakeson refuse to get caught up in the genre conventions, resulting in an admirably human work of stark power. It follows a chef (Ewan McGregor) and a scientist (Eva Green) who embark on a love affair just as the world around them is gripped by a virus that causes the population to lose their senses one by one.

Rather than cutting to panicked streets and throwing in a backstory of scientists desperately trying to find a cure, 'Perfect Sense' uses the virus more like a war film would use its historical setting. It's more interested in the smaller battles and interactions.

McGregor and Mackenzie have worked together before on 'Young Adam'. Less comfortable in the fold is Eva Green who struggles to relay the humanity behind her somewhat thankless role. Misery does taint a lot of this film, as it did with the similar sensory epidemic thriller 'Blindless'.

Mackenzie paints a world of steely greys and cold blues with cramped interiors and threateningly detached exteriors. One detractor for this film is that there's so little joy to be found in its characters, even before the virus strikes, but it still remains an intensely fascinating and occasionally poetic look at how love and relationships weather even the cruellest and least understood storms.

As Mackenzie strips away the senses, he brilliantly ups the ante on the others from the characters' viewpoint via inventive sound design (or indeed a lack of), thoughtful editing and impeccable scoring. 'Perfect Sense' evokes a feeling that is present in only a select few films. What it is, as the senses are stripped away and the characters spiral, is hard to say but compelling to watch.

Check out the trailer for 'Perfect Sense' here on Cinemas Online

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