Scent of a Woman (1992)
Average Rating: 7.1/10
Reviews Counted: 42
Fresh: 37 | Rotten: 5
It might soar on Al Pacino's performance more than the drama itself, but what a performance it is -- big, bold, occasionally over-the-top, and finally giving the Academy pause to award the star his first Oscar.
Average Rating: 7.6/10
Critic Reviews: 9
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 3
It might soar on Al Pacino's performance more than the drama itself, but what a performance it is -- big, bold, occasionally over-the-top, and finally giving the Academy pause to award the star his first Oscar.
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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 106,615
My Rating
Movie Info
Driven by an extravagant, tour-de-force performance by Al Pacino, Scent of a Woman is the story of Frank Slade (Pacino), a blind, retired army colonel who hires Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell), a poor college student on the verge of expulsion, to take care of him over Thanksgiving weekend. At the beginning of the weekend, Frank takes Charlie to New York, where he reveals to the student that he intends to visit his family, have a few terrific meals, sleep with a beautiful woman and, finally,
Dec 23, 1992 Wide
Apr 28, 1998
Universal Pictures
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Cast
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Al Pacino
Lt. Col. Frank Slade -
Chris O'Donnell
Charlie Simms -
James Rebhorn
Mr. Trask -
Gabrielle Anwar
Donna -
Philip Seymour Hoffman
George Willis Jr. -
Richard Venture
W.R. Slade -
Bradley Whitford
Randy -
Ron Eldard
Officer Gore -
Frances Conroy
Christine Downes -
Sally Murphy
Karen Rossi -
Nicholas Sadler
Harry Havemeyer -
Gene Canfield
Manny -
William Beckwith
Oak Room Maitre d' -
-
Peter Carew
Bootblack -
Divina Cook
Night Maid -
J.T. Cromwell
Ballroom Waiter -
Ahn Duong
Sofia -
Margaret Eginton
Gail -
Tom Riis Farrell
Garry -
Erika Feldman
Francine Rossi -
Leonard Gaines
Freddie Bisco -
Baxter Harris
George Willis Sr. -
David Lansbury
Michael -
Michael Lisenco
Cab Driver -
Todd Louiso
Trent Potter -
Mansoor Najeeullah
Skycap -
Rochelle Oliver
Gretchen -
Joseph Palmas
Bellhop -
Michael Santoro
Donny Rossi -
June Squibb
Mrs.Hunsaker -
Max Stein
Willie Rossi -
Paul Stocker
Doorman -
Francie Swift
Flight Attendant -
-
Matt Smith
Jimmy Jameson
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All Critics (42) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (5) | DVD (9)
An irascible bully who proves to have a heart of gold, Pacino's character seems manufactured by a computer programmed with box-office grosses.
Top CriticScent of a Woman indulgently stretches a modest conceit well past the breaking point.
Corny and heart-warming, with O'Donnell proving almost a match for the master.
The good thing is that the principals and film makers make the absolute most of a conventional opportunity.
By the end of Scent of a Woman, we have arrived at the usual conclusion of the coming-of-age movie, and the usual conclusion of the prep school movie. But rarely have we been taken there with so much intelligence and skill.
This is a great performance from Pacino, who has the good luck here to work with Goldman's mostly wonderful, edgy script.
Thanks to a landmark performance by Al Pacino, Scent of a Woman is an agreeably watchable film. If they'd made it half an hour shorter and re-written the ending, it could have been a great one.
Pacino manages to shift smoothly from comedy to pathos, making the antipathetic character seem fascinating.
While fairly predictable and unoriginal, it is nevertheless entertaining.
Pacino's intense performance best for older teens.
The guiding principle of Al Pacino's flamboyant performance (for which he finally received the Oscar) is that of revelation: Every scene discloses another facet of his mysterious, multi-shaded character.
A great character-driven movie starring two well-rounded characters, a fun performance by Pacino, deft directing, a complementary score and plenty of human interest all the way around.
Al Pacino got his ribbing for 'hoo-ahhh!'ing his way through Scent of a Woman, but underneath the scenery chewing, there's a sweet and watchable film to be seen.
Brilliant performances, spotty script, poor ending.
Volcanic Pacino performance, but the drama drags
Audience Reviews for Scent of a Woman
Super Reviewer
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- Lt. Col. Frank Slade: Something big may happen for that little thing of yours Charlie
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- Lt. Col. Frank Slade: [Frank plans to kill himself and Charlie as well but hesitates] You don't wanna die.
- Charlie Simms: Neither do you.
- Lt. Col. Frank Slade: Give me one good reason not to.
- Charlie Simms: I'll give you two. You can dance the tango and drive a Ferrari better than anyone I've ever seen.
- Lt. Col. Frank Slade: You never seen anyone do either.
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- Charlie Simms: So give up. You wanna give up? Give up 'cause I'm giving giving up too. You said I'm through you're right I *am* through. It's all over. So let's get on with it. Let's fuckin' do it! Fuckin' pull the trigger you miserable blind motherfucker. Pull the trigger.
- Lt. Col. Frank Slade: Here we go Charlie.
- Charlie Simms: I'm ready.
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- Lt. Col. Frank Slade: What Life? I got no life! I'm in the dark here. You understand? I'm in the dark!
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- Lt. Col. Frank Slade: Are you listening to me, son? I'm givin' you pearls here.
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- Lt. Col. Frank Slade: - Out of order, I'll show you out of order! You don't know what out of order is, Mr. Trask. I'd show you, but I'm too old, I'm too tired, I'm too fuckin' blind. If I were the man I was five years ago, I'd take a FLAMETHROWER to this place! Out of order? Who the hell do you think you're talkin' to? I've been around, you know? There was a time I could see. And I have seen. Boys like these, younger than these, their arms torn out, their legs ripped off. But there isn't nothin' like the sight of an amputated spirit. There is no prosthetic for that. You think you're merely sending this splendid foot soldier back home to Oregon with his tail between his legs, but I say you are... executin' his soul! And why? Because he's not a Bairdman. Bairdmen. You hurt this boy, you're gonna be Baird bums, the lot of ya. And Harry, Jimmy, Trent, wherever you are out there, FUCK YOU TOO!
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In order to make some money for a Christmas trip home, impoverished college-student Charlie (Chris O'Donnell) agrees to look after Frank (Al Pacino), a blind retired Colonel for Thanksgiving. Babysitting takes on a whole new dimension when Frank decides he wants to spent the weekend living it up in New York City.
At the time of this films release Pacino had had 4 nominations for Best Actor and 3 nominations for Best Supporting Actor. He had produced such sterling work in classic films like "The Godfather", "Serpico", "Dog Day Afternoon" and "Scarface". This is only a few in a long list but, finally, no-one could argue with his bravura portrayal of a blind, hard drinking, ex-Army colonel. This isn't the type of film you'd tip for Pacino receiving an award but it's a performance that can't be ignored. Yes, grandstanding does ensue, but hey! It's Pacino, he's allowed. There's an unsettling intensity to his performance that's so powerful, it's hard to take your eyes off him. Ironically, he plays a blind man but his performance allows the audience to see. To see, what an actor can encapsulate. The film itself is a tad lighthearted and despite being overshadowed considerably, a young Chris O'Donnell handles himself well in such company. But it feels like the story itself is only a vehicle, or series of scenes, in which to allow Al to chew up. It's enjoyable stuff nonetheless and at a running time of 2hrs 30mins, you wouldn't know. The time flies by as it's so much fun. A major demerit is the Hollywood perfect, rousing, finale though. The schmaltz factor goes through the roof, leaving you feeling a bit embarrassed at the audacity in even attempting it and it seriously sells the film short.
If I was to rate this based on Pacino's performance, it would be an unquestionable 5 stars. It's one of his finest. However, the flimsy material brings the film down a notch.