Jude Law has always struck me as a character actor trapped in the body of a matinee idol. Back in the aughts there was a big push, with mixed results, to sell him as a heartthrob leading man (Alfie, The Holiday). But to me it seemed the creepier the role, like his crime scene photographer in Road to Perdition, the better he was. Which brings us to his recent turn as Henry VIII. Premiering at Cannes over the weekend, Firebrand is about Wife #6 Catherine Parr, played by Alicia Vikander (Michelle Williams was originally attached to star but had to depart due to her pregnancy last year). Though the film is firmly Catherine’s story, it was Jude’s commentary at the press conference that stole the show. While sporting a mustache, Jude described something extra he brought to the part:
In his later years, Henry VIII wasn’t very easy on the eyes, ears, or nose. And Jude Law took that quite seriously when he embodied the 15th-century king in Firebrand.
During a press conference for the film Monday at the Cannes Film Festival, Law described going to a gifted perfumier to really abuse her talents in order to help him get into character.
“I read several interesting accounts that at this period you could smell Henry three rooms away,” the actor recalled. “His leg was rotting so badly. And he hid it with rose oil. So I thought it would have a great impact if I smelt awful.”
Law had the perfumier, whom he gushed makes “wonderful scents” but also “awful scents,” create the latter–a concoction with notes of puss, blood, fecal matter, and sweat.
The actor initially used the perfume “subtly” and thought he would just keep it for himself… until director Karim Aïnouz got hold of it. Then, according to Law, it became a “spray fest.”
Law and costar Alicia Vikander, who plays Henry’s sixth and final wife, Catherine Parr, went on to share anecdotes of crew members dry-heaving from the stench.
Though Aïnouz agreed that when Law walked on set “it was just horrible,” he also admitted to spraying rooms down with the perfume when everyone left to eat because the horrifying smell was “incredible” and “triggered a lot.”
Ok I have several questions. Were the essences from human or animal sources? If animal, which one(s)? Was it the same source for all four (pus, blood, feces, sweat) or different for each? How much of the perfume was procured if the director was “spraying rooms down” with it, and what is the going rate for poop perfume? Did they give it a name?! Eau de Ew. Shit No. 5. English King.
Imperative missing data aside, this got me to thinking about the Method Acting conversation that’s been peaking lately. How does this stack up against being “in character” all day? To be fair to Jude, he only wore the perfume “subtly” before the director got his hands on it and apparently doused the set. Am I crazy if I think Jude isn’t being annoying here, but a helpful scene partner? And since Catherine Parr is the lead, I want to hear more from Alicia on this. I watched the full press conference and she mimed some puke takes, but didn’t really discuss the impact the stench had on her performance, so until then, I’m reserving judgment on Jude. In the meantime, can we please get a new Variety series, “Actors on Aroma”?
Note by CB: Welcome our new writer Kismet. Kismet is a writer and artist living in New York. She has a preference for paleolithic technologies like handwriting and watercolors, and dreams of one day being a natural redhead. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater, any comments on actors are professional, not personal opinions.
photos credit: Olivier Huitel/Avalon
Totally agree about Jude Law being an amazing character actor. If people haven’t seen The Third Day on HBO, it’s so good and he’s excellent in it.
He really is an excellent actor.
But I am so flipping tired of how extra method acting is. For the love of god. It’s acting. Is it art? Sure.
But it’s collaborative art and sometimes actors – Dustin Hoffman I’m looking at you – seem to really go extra to get a performance “out” of their female colleagues. As though they don’t have enough talent to deliver it on their own and need the actor to go above and beyond to propel their performance.
It’s gross
Ew, barf! I have never had this much sympathy for Alicia Vikander before, but JL’s “perfume” should never have been allowed!
Welcome! You will have a hard time topping this. 😂🤣
I’m inclined to agree, welcome and an outstanding start!
I’m getting not-the-most-insufferable vibes from this, it’s actually kinda funny to me?? I agree though I’d like to hear Alicia’s opinion, I’m NOT a gifted actor so for me I’d appreciate the extra help of scent lol
LOL, how gross and inconsiderate.
Tub of Vicks, anyone?
Welcome kismet!
This sounds hilarious to me. Like Jude was trying to do something subtle to be like Henry and the director was all WE NEED THIS STENCH EVERYWHERE!!!!!
I am excited to see this movie overall. She’s the survivor Catherine Parr!!!
“I’m the survivor, Katherine Parr! I bet you want to know how I got this far!”
Yes, this sounds fantastic. Parr was a very accomplished woman.
And welcome, Kismet!
Welcome Kismet
No need for this type of nonsense. Disgusting.
This should not have been allowed, hostile work environment anyone?
i love jude law (hello, “Talented Mr., Ripley” but this is taking things a mite too far. i want to barf just reading the item!
I read the word ‘puss’ like pussy cat, but I guess neither would be amazing as a fragrance.
Well if I may…I worked as an actress for some years and studied Method acting. This doesn’t technically fall under that umbrella of technique. This is really a lot like actors who create backstories for characters and implement them in the performance – which most of the time an actor doesn’t have to share with their peers or with the director. This feels like that…only stinky and everyone knew about it. It also was a way to elicit a response from his costars that would be in line with how those around Henry would had to smell his stench would have reacted. So this was kind of reverse Method lol. Pus is one of the most disgusting stenches on earth so I am surprised no one actually got sick.
Thank you! I was here shocked (was Henry still gettin’ it on with a rotting leg? Maybe), so realizing it was “pus” made much more sense.
Poop scent is found in lots of perfumes (as well as chocolates and other candies). It’s called indole. It smells sweet and floral in trace amounts, like poop in higher concentrations. As a floral, it’s the main scent in jasmine. When talked about in perfume, it’s politely referred to as “fecal notes.” I’m guessing there is something similar in the pus range of scents. Curious as to how nasty this actually smelled. Here’s an article from Gizmodo: Why is a compound that smells like feces put into perfume?
1. Welcome Kismet! What color is your hair?
2. Jude is aging like fine wine.
3. Oof. I reflexively gagged just reading the title.
Welcome,Kismet (I always do)..what a starter. Jude is very talented and menacing in a subtle way onscreen. This special perfume though…ugh. out modern sensibilities just couldn’t even comprehend the stink level.
Welcome to the House of Gossip and Mayhem, Kismet!
I definitely would have puked and passed out if I had to smell that all day.
I often think of how stinky everyday life must have been in other eras. (I’m funny that way.) And no Orange Spray to improve the air. Pure (impure?) acting genius from Jude Law to recreate the authentic stench of Henry the VIII’s reign of matrimonial terror. My kingdom for a toilet!
Welcome, Kismet. You’re setting the bar mighty high. Looking forward to more droll commentary from you.
Welcome Kismet! Excellent first story to cover. Good for Law to refuse to romanticise a vile person: Henry VIII was a monster.
Hi, I’m Henry VIII. I murdered two of my wives. I banned my first wife from seeing her own daughter. I was a horrific tyrant. I deserve no movies about me. Loooooove, Henry.
I just finished the Wolf Hall trilogy by Hilary Mantel a couple of months ago (fantastic, highly recommend) and I held my breath until the last page, waiting for Henry to finally act right. No spoilers, but I’m still waiting.
I will definitely, definitely watch this. And yes, Henry was a monster and a pure expression of absolute power corrupting absolutely.
I laughed when he started describing the perfume, because there’s a company that already makes some revolting / controversial scents. It’s État Libre d’Orange. Sécrétions Magnifique is the one that popped into my mind.
Welcome, Kismet!
Hi Kismet! I loved your wit. Great read!