Perfect Sense Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

People start losing their senses, and a chef and a scientist fall in love, proving that even in the apocalypse, love still tastes like… well, nothing, eventually.

🍿 Perfect Sense: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Outbreak Begins: Loss of Smell

The world is struck by a mysterious epidemic. People experience intense grief followed by the sudden loss of their sense of smell. In Glasgow, epidemiologist Susan begins investigating the phenomenon while also navigating a new romance with Michael, a talented chef. The initial loss of smell causes disruptions, particularly for Michael, whose livelihood depends on his sensory perception.

Escalation: Loss of Taste

As the epidemic intensifies, the global population experiences overwhelming hunger and then loses their sense of taste. This creates widespread panic and societal breakdown, especially affecting the food industry. Michael struggles to adapt his cooking to cater to those who can no longer taste, focusing on texture instead. Susan continues her research, but the cause and cure remain elusive.

Further Sensory Deprivation: Loss of Hearing

The world descends further into chaos as people are overcome by uncontrollable rage before losing their hearing. Communication becomes increasingly difficult, and social order deteriorates. Susan and Michael’s relationship is tested as they grapple with the loss of another vital sense. The film explores how they adapt and find new ways to connect in a silent world.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Michael (Ewan McGregor): A charming and engaging chef who falls in love amidst a global epidemic that causes people to lose their senses.
• Susan (Eva Green): A pragmatic epidemiologist who investigates a mysterious disease while navigating a complex relationship.
• Stephen Montgomery (Stephen Dillane): Susan’s colleague who initially asks her to investigate the case of the loss of the sense of smell.
• James (Ewen Bremner): Michael’s friend

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Susan: “There was darkness. There is light. There are men and women. There’s food. There are restaurants. Disease. There’s work. Traffic. The days as we know them, the world as we imagine the world.” – Opening narration that sets the stage for the film’s exploration of a world on the brink of sensory collapse.
• Susan: “Maybe if we lose everything, we can finally appreciate everything.” – Reflects on the potential for profound appreciation that arises from the threat of losing one’s senses.
• Michael: “I want to remember everything.” – Expressed with urgency as the characters face the imminent loss of their senses and memories.
• Susan: “It’s like we’re being punished for something.” – Said when trying to rationalize the inexplicable epidemic of sensory loss.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: $2,959
• Worldwide Gross: $933,352

💥 Perfect Sense Reviews

Personal Review

Perfect Sense messed with my head in the best way possible. Watching the world slowly lose its senses alongside the growing connection between Michael and Susan felt incredibly intimate and terrifying. The scene where they’re desperately trying to experience everything before losing sight? Gut-wrenching! I love how the movie focuses on human connection amidst chaos, making it stick with you long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dystopian romance”
  • “Viewers interested in thought-provoking sci-fi”
  • “Audiences who appreciate indie films with strong performances”
  • “People who like movies that explore human connection and emotion”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual Content”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Brief violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Themes of global catastrophe”

Professional Reviews

• The Wrap: “A beautifully bleak and haunting film, Perfect Sense explores love and loss against a backdrop of global sensory deprivation. McGregor and Green deliver powerful performances, capturing the raw emotions of a world fading away. The film’s unique premise and intimate storytelling make for a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.
• FilmCritic.com: “Rachel Gordon calls Perfect Sense a haunting, stylish, and emotionally resonant film. The movie keeps viewers glued to the screen. Gordon recommends the film due to its gripping story, strong direction, and the intense performances of the lead actors. Gordon says Perfect Sense is one of the most impactful “world might be ending” movies of all time. The film has perfect style.

Audience Reactions

The film offers amazing photography and music.: Viewers often highlight the film’s photography, music, and the intense performances of Ewan McGregor and Eva Green, creating an incredibly moving experience.

Performances are amazing, the score is haunting and overall it provides a touching and uplifting testament to the remarkable resilience of the human spirit and love.: Audience reactions underscore praise in their reviews for the music and acting. It’s a great film from beginning to end.

Overall Consensus: A thought-provoking and haunting film that explores love and human connection against the backdrop of a global sensory apocalypse. The film gets praise for its performances, music, and cinematography, but some find the plot slow-paced or depressing.

Awards

1. Scottish BAFTA (Best Film)- 2011

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in Glasgow, Scotland, utilizing the city’s unique urban landscapes to create a sense of both beauty and decay.”
• “Ewan McGregor and director David Mackenzie previously collaborated on the film ‘Young Adam.'”
• “The film explores the themes of love, loss, and human connection in the face of a global catastrophe, using the loss of senses as a metaphor for emotional and societal disconnection.”

🖥️ How to Watch Perfect Sense?

As of October 2024, ‘Perfect Sense’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability on services like Prime Video, as availability may vary by region. Consider checking JustWatch for up-to-date streaming options and rental prices.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Perfect Sense, you might like these similar films:

• Blindness (2008): Deals with a sudden, unexplained sensory deprivation event that leads to societal breakdown.
• Contagion (2011): Features a global pandemic with a focus on scientific response and societal impact, but lacks the romantic focus and sensory loss aspect.
• Melancholia (2011): Explores themes of impending doom and human relationships against the backdrop of an approaching celestial event.
• The Road (2009): Focuses on human relationships and survival in a post-apocalyptic world, but lacks the specific element of sensory deprivation.

🛒 Perfect Sense Related Products

• Contagion [Blu-ray]: If you liked the pandemic themes in ‘Perfect Sense,’ Contagion offers a more thriller-like experience with a star-studded cast and a focus on the science behind a global outbreak.
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [Blu-ray]: Explore the themes of love, loss, and memory with a sci-fi twist in this critically acclaimed film starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.
• BBC Sherlock: The Abominable Bride [Blu-ray]: The world is on fire after the 2010 election and everyone looks to the great detective for help in BBC’s Sherlock. A must have for Sherlock fans

🎧 Soundtrack

Perfect Sense features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Luminous” – performed by Max Richter
• “No voice was raised” – performed by Castanets

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

A Mysterious Pandemic Makes Humans Lose Senses One At A Time

Okay, ‘Perfect Sense’ is a bit of a mind-bender, right? This video breaks down the whole ‘losing your senses’ thing in a way that actually makes sense. Trust me, you’ll appreciate the movie a whole lot more after watching this!

✨ Rate