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Scent of a Woman

Name: Scent of a Woman
Genre: Drama
Released: December 23, 1992
Duration: 157 min
Rating: 59
Cast: Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell

1992

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 205 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	Your Score
8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 205 Ratings

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SCENT OF A WOMAN

Movie Details & Credits

American Broadcasting Company (ABC) | Release Date: December 23, 1992 | R

Starring: Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell

Summary: Al Pacino won his first Best Actor Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of an overbearing, blind retired Lieutenant Colonel who hires a young guardian (O'Donnell), to assist him. It's a heart-wrenching and heartwarming tale of opposites attracting when they embark on a wild weekend trip that will change the lives of both men forever. (Universal)

Director: Martin Brest

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 157 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Elvis Mitchell

The good thing is that the principals and film makers make the absolute most of a conventional opportunity. Read full review

Los Angeles Times Peter Rainer

But it's essentially a tour de force for Pacino, and he sustains us through the slow passages by working with a closed-in intensity that turns each scene into a kind of mini-movie complete with its own ticking time bomb. [23Dec1992 Pg. 1]

Roger Ebert

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. Read full review

The New Yorker Terrence Rafferty

This is acting that chills the heart beyond any possibility of warming. Read full review

Desson Thomson

In the end, however, when all Pacino's demons are bared, they don't add up to the poignant punchline you were set up for. The movie seems to have two or three finales too many -- a disturbing trend in all too many films of late. Read full review

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

There's no denying that Pacino's performance is superb. The rest of the movie plays like a bunch of inconsequentially strung together sequences. Read full review

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen

Instead, you get a nominal character study that boasts a single mighty performance and one nifty scene; alas, both performance and scene exist in a narrative vacuum - the plot is non-existent and the pace makes the ice age seem hasty. Read full review

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User Reviews

ViniciusBrito

Jun 1, 2018

A poor High School boy that lives miles away from his family because of the rich school that he went, looking for the best in his future he got away from his city for that school called Baird. At the school he is a exemplary student and have some complicated colleagues that did some thingsA poor High School boy that lives miles away from his family because of the rich school that he went, looking for the best in his future he got away from his city for that school called Baird. At the school he is a exemplary student and have some complicated colleagues that did some things that got him envolved. To get money for see his family at the christmas, the boy, named Charlie, find a job to take care of a war veteran with a peculiar style and visually impaired while his family travel during the thanksgiving and after that he will face a learning adventure with the unexpected happening for him.
This is a story that does have a great plot, even that it is a story that doesn't happen very complex things, but you definely can learn some good stuff with it.
Al Pacino acting is perfect playing the character of Frank Slade, he can absolutely pass the right idea that he is blind, you completely buy it, the moves that he does with his face and just never blink or even seem like he wants to. Also the fact that he portrays a veteran military that got crazy and lost is beautiful, he can make you feel that he is lost without the movie even telling you that yet, he also have the perfect tons of voices to give a lot of different feelings on him, he can be dominant and gross with the voice, giving orders like in the army, or when he feels useless for what happened during his life or even charming and intelligent, a character with multiple layers, Al was perfect in this movie. Chris O'Donnell also did a very good job, because his character is kind of low and innocent with a strong character, but he kind of is like you during the story, lost in what is happening and trying to help up somehow at some moments, i think he did a good job with his voice and purity. Gabrielle Anwar had a fast and small row in the movie, but she definely deserves some recognition as well, even with her few time, what she did was very nice, representing that woman with a life that she though that was alright, she with expressions in the face and with the hole body she could express how unsatisfied she was before and after the encounter with Frank, and also how great she felt while was with him, living a lifetime in a moment.
The soundtrack of this movie is amazing, it does have a melody ta helps to put you inside of that movie and explain and expose what is going on with the characters, and does it with maestry with the character Frank Slade.
There is one special scene that completely make this movie be something unic, the Tango dance scene is great, gorgeous and a teaching of how to treat a woman, the kindness in Pacino's voice and look, even that the character is blind, is unbelievable, the voice that he used in that moment and gracefulness were on point, the sequence have like 5 minutes and have a great quote in it as well.
There is a clash scene that show how great of a actor Pacino is and how good was the job that O'Donnell did, the pain during the scene, and the attempt of saving and deliverance from both characters was insanely well directed and interpreted. You realise what is going on before the character, and that just make us tense and thoughtful of what could happen, there are a lot of tense scenes that just got me out of words during the movie. With moments of calm and despair from the same character trying to achieve his goal, are all great. AL Pacino transmits the pain and tiredness from his character. This scene is great also because it shows that even when you think you are useless in every part and nobody gives a damn, you can be great and not even notice it, in a bunch of different things.
By the end of the movie, there is one of the best speeches in movies, when frank give a real talk about character, honor, integrity with so much love and without losing completely his lost mind, showing that the personage still himself even after he got cleaned up. He says that courage and honor are very important things to keep us fresh, to keep ours souls intacted, without selling it to the others. Speaking all of that in a engaging and passionate way, exposing his pain and weaknesses. During the movie also does have a nice teaching and quote metaphoric about mistaking in life and also keep trying, without fear of if things goes wrong, just keep dancing.
There is one sequence that is necessary a poetic disbelief, for some could be a problem, but for me was nice. The car sequence was like one last shot, and a change of aspects in both characters, Charlie getting what was going on and trying to give Frank another breath of happiness and meaning, while Frank took it and did what he could, wich leaded to one of the best moments of the movie, the clash between them.
For me this is a perfect movie, the acting won it all, the route of the character was great and leaded into something big and very dramatic at the best way, not just shocking, but also teaching. Damn good movie, WOOHAA!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

FranzHcritic

Aug 28, 2013

Beautiful film. Pacino's magnum opus. His cantankerous, wise, and somewhat sadistic character surprisingly is a likable one. He plays it to a whole new standard. The performance is a masterpiece of cinema. Loved it the whole time.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

SEROJ

Sep 12, 2013

Finally! Something really emotional! The acting is just so amazing that it's hard to believe that it's a movie! I love it and i highly recommend it to people with heart! 9/10

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

Spangle

May 17, 2014

Charming, funny, and powerful, Scent of a Woman is a good film anchored by a legendary performance from Al Pacino. Without him, this film would be nothing extraordinary. But, with him, it is elevated significantly. Overall, the story is ok and is somewhat compelling, but every line spoken byCharming, funny, and powerful, Scent of a Woman is a good film anchored by a legendary performance from Al Pacino. Without him, this film would be nothing extraordinary. But, with him, it is elevated significantly. Overall, the story is ok and is somewhat compelling, but every line spoken by Pacino are a mixture of emotions. On the surface, many undeniably funny, but it is also hard-hittingly powerful or inspirational, while many of them are simply depressing, as he is a man who thinks he has no further purpose in life. On top of Pacino, Chris O'Donnell does a great job (as does Philip Seymour Hoffman in a small role RIP), making this even more of an acting showcase, rather than a superb film. However, regardless, the film is incredibly enjoyable and endearing as we learn to love Slade (much like Charlie) and all of his little quirks. Plus, his monologue at the end is absolutely phemomenal and really stands as one of the best monologues in film.

On the negative side of things, it is a tad long. I love getting to see this much of their lives, but if it could be cut down to at least 2:10 rather than almost 2:40, it would be really beneficial. There is really no reason for this one to be so long. Otherwise, Scent of a Woman is a solid film that is lifted to new heights by a bravora performance from a living legend in Al Pacino who continously wows you throughout the film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DJ_Kaas

Jan 3, 2014

Al Pacino did a really great job, good movie, it's worth your time indeed. There are lots of contents and humor in different locations, the film is also serious

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

ParkerG.

Jan 23, 2008

An unexpected treasure found on the shelf of my own DVD collection. I had purchased the movie many months ago based on the Academy Award to best actor. I had no idea what to expect and was completely enraptured with the journey the movie took me on. A wonderful movie. Don't analyze, An unexpected treasure found on the shelf of my own DVD collection. I had purchased the movie many months ago based on the Academy Award to best actor. I had no idea what to expect and was completely enraptured with the journey the movie took me on. A wonderful movie. Don't analyze, just enjoy.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

calhounite

Jan 13, 2016

these arsholes who keep shouting keep your mouth shut in the face of crimes, no matter how trivial, need the same treatment as this movie - get plugged.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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