Scent of a Woman (1992)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

A Masterpiece!

For having a relatively low budget, the film's style and overall art direction are immensely impressive.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Al Pacino's brilliance is in his "closing arguments performances, i.e And Justice for All, Devil's Advocate. If Pacino didn't become an actor, he would have made a great criminal trial lawyer. Most of The Scent of a Woman runs through little incidentals to establish character and a relationship between student Charlie Simms who is hired as retired Lt Col Frank's (who is blind) "guide dog" through a "live it up" outing in New York during the holidays. The real meat of this movie comes in the climatic monologue when Lt. Col. Frank Slade,, Al Pacino defends Charlie Simms, Chis O'Donnel against charges of misconduct in a school hearing. Pacino's brilliant testimony is a harsh critque on our current school system and how it discourages instead of encourages the growth of character and morality in our youths.

Al Pacino is one of the best (I would name him the best) actors that Hollywood was ever lucky enough to have! This movie (which in my opinion displays one of Pacino's finest acting work) is a realistic ride of a depressing man "I'm in the dark here!" that finds himself at one of the most difficult crossroads in his life.Desperation; rudeness; honesty; anger and love are so intense and passionately displayed by Pacino that everyone can sense them, and as viewers we have no option but to sympathise with his Frank Slade and immerse ourselves in the story of this blind man that apparently everyone hates, but in reality everyone wants to love and understand.The side story of the Baird student is well put together by Chris O'Donnell but Al Pacino steals the show, as he portrays a blind man so perfectly that we easily forget that he is Al Pacino and we start to think of him as a harsh Lieutenant Colonel.Truth and honesty are not usual synonyms that one can say about a Hollywood movie but Al Pacino turns himself into his characters, and this movie should be presented in every acting school as the finest example of truth in acting.I don't know how many times I've seen this movie but every time I do I enjoy it, and appreciate the hard work that was done throughout it. Thank You Al Pacino!

I always heard that Pacino's Oscar win for this role was mostly a lifetime achievement award, but I actually think he's pretty incredible here, as are all of the performances (LITTLE BABY SEYMOUR Hoffman!). Otherwise, the movie is clichéd and corny. Other than a couple of effective moments (Thanksgiving dinner), this is mostly an abundantly false (gun-hotel scene) 90's drama that was just begging for (and getting) awards with every hoo-wah.

Although I like the Italian version, and although I think the American takes too long, I am for the latter. The American film has two main characters and thus a more complex and more interesting plot. I believe Pacino is the Academy winner, that deserves this distinction most (besides Brando of course). I can only think of Russel Crowe giving a memorable performance in recent years - I am not for the D.D. Lewis guy.