Mark's obsession with the perfume Fior di Latte is triggered by his desire to relive the memories of a week-long Italian vacation where he met Francesca. The scent of the rare perfume on his old clothes from that trip fuels his creativity and becomes a desperate escape from his uninspired and stagnant life as a playwright.

Francesca, Mark's roommate and unspecified romantic partner, is a key figure in the story. Their strained relationship highlights Mark's emotional and creative struggles. Francesca would rather be anywhere but with Mark, emphasizing his isolation and obsession with the past, which drives much of the plot.

Kevin Kline plays an eccentric perfumer who helps Mark in his quest to recapture the scent of Fior di Latte. This character bursts into spontaneous song while concocting custom scents in his lab, pushing Mark further into his fragrant fantasies and deepening his obsession.

Mark collects peculiar memorabilia of classic Hollywood stars, such as Mickey Rooney's used bathrobe. This collection symbolizes his fixation on the past and nostalgia, paralleling his obsession with the perfume and his inability to move forward creatively and personally.

Mark's obsession with the perfume Fior di Latte severely damages his social relationships and career as a playwright. His fixation leads him to neglect his current life, including his relationship with Francesca, and causes his life to spiral into obsession and decline.