The Scent of Jealousy
Aromatherapist Minori (Hojo Manami) was born with a "musky scent" that draws men to her. One morning, her live-in boyfriend, up-and-coming musician Tetsushi (Sakai Masato), unexpectedly proposes marriage to her, but Minori, who has a history of failed relationships, is reluctant. Meanwhile, Tetsushi is chosen to participate in a project with renowned architect Eiji Masano (Terawaki Yasufumi). This is how Eiji meets Minori, and he takes a liking to her and hires her as a staff member. Eiji's wife, Saki (Kawahara Ayako), the female president of an advertising agency, begins to have doubts about his behavior...
Insights
Plot Summary
A man is drawn into a complex web of deceit and suspicion after becoming entangled with a mysterious woman. As his reality blurs with illusion, he finds himself questioning the motives of those around him and his own sanity. The narrative unfolds like a dream, with shifting perspectives and ambiguous encounters.
Critical Reception
The film received mixed to negative reviews, with many critics finding its experimental narrative and opaque plot challenging and unsatisfying. While some praised Robbe-Grillet's distinctive directorial style and the performances, the overall consensus pointed to a film that was more intellectually intriguing than emotionally engaging.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its atmospheric mood and stylistic ambition.
- Criticized for an overly convoluted and deliberately confusing narrative.
- Performances were noted, but often overshadowed by the perplexing plot.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews and their sentiment is not readily available for this film.
Fun Fact
Alain Robbe-Grillet, the director, was a prominent figure in the Nouveau Roman literary movement, known for his experimental and unconventional narrative structures, which he brought to his filmmaking.
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