Scent of a Woman
is a classic, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you’re missing out on one of Al
Pacino’s best performances to date. That’s not to diminish his incredible work
in The Godfather (1972), The Godfather Part II (1974), or Scarface (1983),
where he also outdid himself. Those films, along with this one, have all
achieved classic status. It’s safe to say Al Pacino has been part of many
cinematic masterpieces.
The movie is
well-written, with a steady pace and several memorable cinematic moments. The
cinematography is clear, showcasing some beautiful sights of New York. The
ending, where Pacino’s character Frank defends Chris O’Donnell’s character
Charlie, delivers fantastic performances and powerful dialogue that’s worth the
wait.
The musical
score is soothing and complements the film’s emotional tone. Credit must be
given to the director for keeping the focus on the story rather than trying to
evoke pity for Frank. Instead, we get a nuanced understanding of why he acts as
he does after losing his sight. By the end, we’re left to decide whether to
feel sorry for him or be angry at his initial inclination to take the easy way
out—a choice he himself admits guilt over when he finally stands up for
Charlie.
The plot
revolves around a blind, retired army Lt. Colonel, Frank, who lives with his
niece and has been a constant source of trouble for her family. When she plans
to leave town for a short while, she hires a young student, Charlie, to look
after him.
Charlie, a prep
school student on a scholarship, takes the job to support himself. Unlike many
of his peers, who come from wealthy families, Charlie is grounded and
hard-working. But as soon as Frank’s niece leaves, Frank takes Charlie on an
unexpected trip to New York, revealing an itinerary of personal goals he’s
determined to fulfill.
Chris
O’Donnell’s performance is commendable and deserves recognition alongside
Pacino’s. The film is a remake of the 1974 Italian film Profumo di donna,
itself based on Giovanni Arpino’s novel Il buio e il miele.
Pacino won the
Academy Award for Best Actor for this role, and the film received nominations
for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Screenplay. At the Golden Globes, it
took home awards for Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Pacino), and Best Motion
Picture – Drama.
My only critique
of the film is its length—it feels quite long. But aside from that, there’s no
reason not to watch this movie again.
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