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Her Smell

Play trailer 1:31 Poster for Her Smell R Released Apr 12, 2019 2h 15m Drama Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 139 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Becky Something is a talented but self-destructive musician who seems determined to alienate everyone around her -- even at the cost of her own band's success.
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Her Smell

Her Smell

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Critics Consensus

Held together by a gripping lead performance from Elisabeth Moss, Her Smell is challenging and admittedly uneven, but ultimately worth the effort.

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Critics Reviews

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Ben Sachs Chicago Reader There have been plenty of movies about self-destructive rock musicians, but none quite like this. Mar 10, 2020 Full Review Claudia Puig FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) There's a claustrophobic, almost airless feeling to this -- it's almost suffocating, but it's always compelling. Sep 27, 2019 Full Review Adam Graham Detroit News You won't forget it. You can't forget it. Rated: A May 3, 2019 Full Review Brendan Cassidy InSession Film In the middle of it all is Elisabeth Moss in a decade-defining performance, simultaneously just as unhinged as it is beautiful... Jul 9, 2024 Full Review Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine In short: I liked the movie, and didn’t find it nearly as trying as its quickly-developing reputation would suggest. Jan 5, 2023 Full Review Prahlad Srihari Firstpost As a punk rocker, Elisabeth Moss is insufferable yet irresistible in Alex Ross Perry’s sustained anxiety attack of a movie. Aug 5, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B Moss is in top form here, utterly fearless in the way she disappears into this character. The movie itself is good, if also a bit too long and unfocused. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/08/24 Full Review May C She does smell, so the title is accurate. Too much poop in the bed. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/14/23 Full Review Steve D The film is ok but Moss is fantastic. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/06/23 Full Review Juniper Jesus. Someone unrolling a long psychotic break. This was just painful. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Joshua G If you approach this as a very dry, absurdist mockumentary about a fictionalized Courtney Love and a loving tribute to the 90s, you'll enjoy this film. Its haunting and its beautiful and its not necessarily easy to watch but if you stick with it, you will be rewarded. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/25/22 Full Review isla s The first half or so of this film put me off because it depicts such a chaotic and disastrous, out of control female punk rocker type character and there doesn't appear to be any coherent plotline. There's a fair amount of mumbled dialogue during the scenes shot backstage - it has a documentary film feel to it, perhaps a little like 'This Is Spinal Tap' or something, only this isn't comedic at all of course. Its somewhat painful viewing at times, how Becky reacts when she arrives, substantially late for the intended show. You can hear the booming music (I assume played on speakers by the stage) while trying to make out what's being said by whom - its a little exhausting(!). I can't say its not atmospheric I suppose but still, confusing and disorientating are also terms that come to mind. In the 2nd half, or latter half, of the film, its quieter and more interesting, with Becky trying to get herself sober and her life sorted. However, even then there's still quite quiet dialogue and the viewer is left guessing, to an extent, what's going through her head. Elisabeth Moss certainly gives a decent performance, portraying such a vulnerable character very well - I wouldn't criticise her of that. I thought it was poignant that one of the song lyrics she sings is 'I just want to be in control of it, control of it...' I imagine she feels like she has little control over many things in her life and situation (regardless of whether or not thats ultimately true or not). I thought the best scenes were of her and her daughter, trying to acknowledge, befriend and get along with each other better than has previously been the case. It's certainly not an easy watch in some ways and it felt too scatter gun (if thats the right term?) but its not an awful film as such, no. It's not a film I'd actively recommend and it's not a remarkable film but for a film about an out of control young female rocker type, this certainly isn't bad. It's nearly a very good film but not quite - to me, this was an ok film that I'm glad I stuck with during the over the top, chaotic and somewhat unclear plot direction-wise first hour, first half or so. For fans of Elisabeth Moss, yes I'd recommend this but otherwise? not so much. I think Crazy Heart and Almost Famous are better films about troubled musicians, though I must say the last bit of the last scene (with Becky's daughter) was surprisingly moving. I just think if it was re-done slightly, it would have been better. Make of that what you will. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Her Smell

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Movie Info

Synopsis Becky Something is a talented but self-destructive musician who seems determined to alienate everyone around her -- even at the cost of her own band's success.
Director
Alex Ross Perry
Producer
Matthew Perniciaro, Alex Ross Perry, Elisabeth Moss, Adam Piotrowicz, Michael Sherman
Screenwriter
Alex Ross Perry
Distributor
Gunpowder & Sky
Production Co
Bow and Arrow Entertainment, E1 Entertainment, Gunpowder & Sky
Rating
R (Some Drug Use|Language Throughout)
Genre
Drama, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 12, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 10, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$257.7K
Runtime
2h 15m
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