HER SMELL: A Punk Rock Phoenix Rising From the Ashes
Despite its unfortunate title, Her Smell is one of Alex Ross Perry’s finest films to date. As we saw with 2014’s Listen Up Philip and 2015’s Queen of Earth, something magical happens when Perry teams up with Elisabeth Moss. Her Smell is a fascinating character study that flourishes thanks to Moss’ gripping performance.
A Must-See Performance From Elisabeth Moss
Moss stars as Becky Something, the frontwoman for punk band Something She, backed by Marielle Hell (Agyness Deyn) and Ali van der Wolff (Gayle Rankin). Something She embraces the Riot grrrl ethos and is reminiscent of bands like Hole and Bikini Kill. Becky has a young daughter with her ex Danny (Dan Stevens), who is trying to be a responsible parent while Becky is a self-destructive mess with bigger things on her mind.
Becky is reckless and childish, barking orders at her bandmates and spiraling into fits of rage, but she’s more than just a stereotypical drug-addicted rockstar. Moss excels at highlighting the humanity lurking within this hot mess of a character. Sometimes it’s something as simple as a smile or a blank stare, but it’s obvious there’s more to Becky than meets the eye.
It takes an extraordinary talent to make such a loathsome character so watchable. With a 135-minute runtime, Her Smell could have easily turned stale, but Moss is so endlessly intriguing that the film never feels dull. Becky’s behavior is frequently despicable, but there’s something so innately real about her that viewers can’t help but become emotionally invested in her and the people around her. She’s a monster, but a weirdly sympathetic one.
Artful Direction From Alex Ross Perry
Writer and director Alex Ross Perry structures his film in a unique way that makes it stand out amid the recent array of musical dramas. This isn’t a typical story about a singer’s quest for stardom and it isn’t the trite tale of the rise and fall of a rockstar. Her Smell is a series of vignettes that give viewers a glimpse into various stages of Becky’s life, whether she’s hitting rock bottom or striving for redemption.
Sean Price Williams’ cinematography and Keegan DeWitt’s uninhibited score work together to establish the perfect grunge atmosphere. The makeup and costumes also help generate authenticity. Williams’ tracking shots capture the chaos of Becky’s world, while his long takes make the film feel intimate and real. Perry’s masterful direction ensures that the film’s artistic elements evolve to match Becky’s current state. When she’s on a downward spiral her makeup is heavy and smeared, the score is unsettling, and the camerawork is tumultuous. When she’s working on getting her life back together her makeup and clothes are clean and simple, the score is subdued, and the camera is stable.
A Feminist Tour De Force
Not only has Perry successfully crafted an enthralling main character, but all of the characters in Her Smell are wonderfully dynamic. Marielle and Ali try to support their friend even when she’s at her worst, but they’re still deeply human and refuse to let Becky boss them around. The up-and-coming band The Akergirls, consisting of Roxie Rotten (Ashley Benson), Crassie Cassie (Cara Delevingne), and Dottie O.Z. (Dylan Gelula), look up to Something She. The juxtaposition between the two bands adds another rich layer to the story.
There’s also another dimension to the story that comes in the form of Amber Heard’s character, Zelda E. Zekiel. Although she was once friends with Something She, Zelda has achieved a greater level of success and Becky resents her for it. The way Becky’s relationship with The Akergirls and Zelda evolves makes for a truly satisfying “girl power” moment. For viewers who can stick it out through Becky’s meltdowns and struggles with sobriety, Her Smell is an immensely rewarding experience.
Her Smell: Final Thoughts
Alex Ross Perry’s Her Smell is the film Vox Lux wishes it could be. It’s gritty, raw, and more true-to-life than most musical biopics despite being a complete work of fiction. Elisabeth Moss’ performance proves she’s a force to be reckoned with. Perry breaks the musical drama mold with a film that’s wildly authentic. Her Smell captures how loved ones can change for the better or for the worse. Relationships can grow or fall apart and people can breakdown or pick themselves back up. Hopefully the film’s off-putting title won’t deter viewers from watching it, because Her Smell is a poignant punk rock powerhouse.
Her Smell hit theaters in the U.S. on April 12, 2019.
