PROVOKR Pick: Her Smell
Rock’n’Roll Drama Starring Elisabeth Moss
Elisabeth Moss stars in Her Smell as Becky Something, the self-destructive lead singer of an all- female grunge band in the 90s, who is desperately, constantly on the edge of a downfall. Indie director Alex Ross Perry paints the painful, all-too-real depiction of drug use, addiction and a brutal attempt for escape through the character of Becky Something. While it’s not been confirmed, the life of Courtney Love seems to come to life on screen through Moss’ portrayal of Becky Something.
The movie takes on a five-act structure, which chronicles Becky and the band’s highs and lows, much like drug abuse follows its own pattern of highs and lows. Band mates include sometime models and actresses Cara Delevigne and Agyness Deyn and Amber Heard as the former shunned band member who goes on to mega pop super stardom. Look for Gayle Rankin from Glow in Elisabeth’s band too.
This is Moss’ third time working with Ross Perry (Listen Up Philip and Queen of Earth prior to this), who she said came up with the concept years ago. “He was fascinated by the image of a woman being an addict, high on drugs, holding a baby,” Moss said in an interview. Moss quite perfectly plays the role of a tortured, frenetic sole who grapples with motherhood while pushing those closest to her the farthest away.
Moss’ depiction of Becky Something coupled with genius cinematography make Her Smell a gripping film feat. For fans or foes of the 90s grunge era, this is an all-too-real depiction of the highs and lows of a rock’n’roll life.
