The Five Senses (1999)

The Five Senses Poster

Interconnected stories examine situations involving the five senses. Touch is represented by a massage therapist who is treating a woman, while her daughter accidentally loses the woman's pre-school daughter in the park. The older daughter meets a voyeur (vision), a professional house-cleaner has an acute sense of smell, a cake maker has lost her sense of taste, and an older man is losing his hearing.

Intro
"The Five Senses" is a 1999 Canadian remarkable film written and directed by Jeremy Podeswa. Comprising of five interconnected stories, this movie explores the human experience through the exploration of the five fundamental human senses - sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

Plot Overview
The movie slowly unfolds five seemingly different but interlinked stories, each showing the connection of an individual with a specific sense. Firstly, the movie features an eye doctor, Richard, troubled with losing his eyesight, which echoes the theme of sight. As he deals with the emotions of his romantic relationship, he starts to view the world in a distinct, deeper way.

The 2nd story focuses on Richard's sibling, Ruth, an accomplished masseur showcasing the theme of touch. She's utilized to providing comfort to others through her touch, but she battles with the psychological disconnect and loneliness from her teenage daughter, Rachel.

Rutherford, a home-cleaning professional who has a remarkable sense of odor, is having problem with the fear of being unable to smell anymore, signifying the 3rd sense. He's likewise tortured with his unexpressed sensations for his friend, Robert, showcasing a narrative of unrequited love.

Next, a young Frenchwoman, Anne, utilizes her taste to develop unique delicacies but is unable to find complete satisfaction in her love life. Her style of taste isn't simply restricted to food but extends to her doubtful options in choosing romantic partners.

The narrative with Robert extremely handles the sense of hearing. His occupation as a hearing expert stresses when he finds himself losing his hearing. As a subplot, Robert embarks on a mission to seek a noise that is naturally vanishing, linking it with his desire to experience prior to he goes mute.

Unifying Plot Element
However, these plots get further knotted when a young girl goes missing, and Rachel becomes the prime suspect. This event functions as a driver, pushing the characters to revisit their lives, engaging them to question their understandings and their connection to their senses.

Conclusion and Reception
Podeswa's "The Five Senses" checks out human interaction through senses and emotions in a captivating, emotive manner. It represents how sensory experiences are intricately woven into human lives, becoming an entrance to the inner world of individuals. As the characters grapple with their particular sensory tensions, they are led on a journey of self-discovery and realization.

The movie was critically praised for its nuanced portrayal of human emotions. It has actually been acknowledged with numerous awards and was Canada's official entry for the very best Foreign Language Film category at the 72nd Academy Awards. However, the film likewise got some criticism for its mournful pacing and numerous unresolved plot lines. Overall, 'The Five Senses' works as an introspective expedition into human life and feelings, grounded in our sensory experiences.

Top Cast

  • Mary-Louise Parker (small)
    Mary-Louise Parker
    Rona
  • Pascale Bussières (small)
    Pascale Bussières
    Gail
  • Richard Clarkin (small)
    Richard Clarkin
    Raymond
  • Brendan Fletcher (small)
    Brendan Fletcher
    Rupert
  • Marco Leonardi (small)
    Marco Leonardi
    Roberto
  • Nadia Litz (small)
    Nadia Litz
    Rachel Seraph
  • Daniel MacIvor (small)
    Daniel MacIvor
    Robert
  • Molly Parker (small)
    Molly Parker
    Anna Miller
  • Gabrielle Rose (small)
    Gabrielle Rose
    Ruth Seraph
  • Tara Rosling (small)
    Tara Rosling
    Rebecca
  • Philippe Volter (small)
    Philippe Volter
    Dr. Richard Jacob