Familial dysfunction and widespread crime conspire to destroy the life of one young woman in this topical drama from Mexico. Yessica (Ximena Ayala) and Mariam (Nancy Gutierrez) are two girls in their early teens growing up in a poor, crime-ridden neighborhood in Mexico City. Both girls are products of broken homes; Mariam is being raised by her mother (Arcelia Ramirez) since her parents broke up, while Yessica's mom (Maria Rojo) divorced her daughter's father and has since married a single father (Eligio Melendez), giving Yessica a stepbrother, Jorge (Luis Fernando Pena), who has a job with the city bus company. Jorge and Yessica have become bitter rivals, and one day Jorge offers to help one of the bus line's drivers rape his stepsister for the right price. Yessica is emotionally scarred by the assault, but paralyzed by fear and guilt, she refuses to report the crime to anyone; the rape remains a secret until tragic circumstances bring the crime into the open. Perfume De Violetas -- Nadie Te Oye received an enthusiastic reception at the 2001 Guadalajara Film Festival, where Ximena Ayala's performance earned her honors as Best Actress.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide