Passing the ‘Smell’ test
LINCOLN Center’s 56th New York Film Festival previewed “Her Smell.” It stars Golden Globe nominee Eric Stoltz, Elisa
beth Moss from “Mad Men,” Gayle Rankin the She-Wolf in TV’s “Glow.”
So Eric — in blue sneakers, brown shades and ruffled pink shirt hanging out of his pants — what’s this title mean? Reply: “I absolutely don’t know. No idea.”
Gayle, in sequins so tight a crayon’s fatter — what’s with the title? “I know people are repulsed by it. I think it’s like we sweat. Like we’re all animals.”
Elisabeth, in a silver Dior gown, you’re part of the production team, can you explain the title?
“No. The director told me, but I forgot.”
Playing the manager of an unraveling claustrophobic self-destructive under-the-influence drug-addicted rock singer who suffers horror and demons, Stoltz says: “In one scene, she’s like a jungle cat. Bite your ear, kiss you, then knock you over. Not my stuff in real life, but I’ve known people like that.”
Elisabeth: “I had to let go. I felt very vulnerable. Many scenes I had to get hysterical. It’s pack up your ego, get over worrying how you look, being self-conscious. I watched punk documentaries to learn about rocker addicts.” Gayle: “I play the band’s drummer. I knew no drummers so I sat in with a lot of them beforehand to learn. Elisabeth’s character and I get into a brawl — and I hate the way I look in that.” An 8-year-old girl’s in this film. At Lincoln Center, with stage-Mommy watching, she fluffed her hair, poufed her anklelength purple chiffon gown, pirouetted, plopped on the floor, and commandeered attention. My Yorkie is larger than this kid who, grown up, will — trust me — out-growl a Great Dane. TBD is when “Her Smell” permeates the theaters.