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Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Have you ever met a straight-up cranky person and unpleasant to be around? I’m talking about a person that is spiteful and full of anger. When you are around them, they seem so charming and have a wealth of knowledge, but they are such a pain in the ass to be around. Have you ever wondered why they are so cranky and have a stick up their ass? Could it be that they went through some terrible experience and now hate the world? There are many reasons, but what happens when you break through and see a genuine and kind person? Scent of a Woman is a story of dealing with an awful person and becoming friends with them.
Directed by Martin Brest, Scent of a Woman tells the story of a preparatory school student who takes on a job as an assistant to an unpleasant, blind, retired Army lieutenant colonel while becoming friends. Charlie Simms (O’Donnell) is a young man from Oregon attending Baird School, a Boys’ boarding school. Charlie is considered an outlier as most of the other boys at the school come from privileged and affluent backgrounds. Charlie comes from a hard-working family and is attending the school on a scholarship that he received. One of Charlie’s friends is George Willis, Jr. (Hoffman), who has some pull from his daddy’s donations. George and his friends look down on Charlie since he doesn’t come from money but tries to be nice to him. One day, George’s friends decide to pull a prank on the hard-ass and pompous headmaster. Looking for who is responsible, the headmaster learns that Charlie and George know who pulled the prank, but they refuse to snitch. He gives them until the end of the Thanksgiving holiday to think about it or face harsh consequences. While looking for a job, Charlie lands on a posting to take care of a person for Thanksgiving. He soon learns that he is taking care of retired lieutenant colonel Frank Slade (Pacino), who is blind and quite cantankerous. After the family leaves, Frank tells Charlie they are bouncing to New York for his own special Thanksgiving and final adventures.
Let’s say that Al Pacino CARRIED this film. Without him, I don’t think it would’ve been as good. As the blind, highly decorated Vietnam War veteran, just an asshole, cantankerous, grouchy alcoholic Lt. Col. Frank Slade, Pacino was the best part of the whole film. When he came on scene while sitting in the chair, smoking a cigar and having a bottle of Jack Daniels next to him, you knew he would be a pain in the ass. The opening scene of him interrogating Charlie was intense. As the movie went on, you saw Pacino change Frank from a man who was just mean to a man who found someone and found the meaning of life again. You really see why Frank is angry at the world, and yet, Pacino makes Frank so cool as his sense of smell is unreal, and he has a way of flirting and dancing. I read that Pacino put in the work and researched for his part by meeting with people who had lost their eyesight due to trauma.
Now for the actual film. The story was heartwarming, with two people from opposite ends becoming friends. Yet, it seemed to be something that was copied and pasted before. A younger adult helps an older adult, and they build a friendship through some struggles. Charlie and Frank develop their friendship through Frank’s depression of being blind and him being a miserable person. Watching the relationship is nice as they drive a Ferrari, seeing Frank smooth talk and do a wonderful Waltz, and defending Charlie at the disciplinary hearing. The Waltz scene was honestly okay. Seeing a “blind” person do it is lovely to see. The best part of the movie is when Frank goes on his monologue and defends Charlie to the max. Homeboy called out everyone. He called people snitches, cursed, and let loose. I loved every minute of it.
The other story involved in this film was Charlie’s problem where he saw a prank and was now being asked to testify or face harsh consequences. The whole story was an okay setup, but it seemed to be sprinkled in throughout the film to give you a reminder that the problem was still there. Charlie would call his punk ass friend who said everything would be okay. Frank would be like, “Naw son! He is about to snitch on you.” It all comes to a head at the end when Frank lets loose. This whole thing could’ve been left out, but you need something to bring the characters together.
Chris O’Donnell as Charlie Simms was a well-deserved choice to play opposite Pacino. O’Donnell played Charlie as a quiet and friendly boy who is working hard to get through school and on scholarship. O’Donnell had his moment to shine in this film during an intense moment for Charlie as he confronts Frank about his suicide attempt. How about a young Philip S. Hoffman as George Willis, Jr.? Dude seems to pop up in films. I need to look at his filmography page. As George Jr, homeboy was somewhat a snitch and a lousy friend. He used his daddy’s money to get out of stuff. Glad Charlie met Frank because this dude has no loyalty.
Scent of a Woman is one of those films with a touching storyline with the two main characters. It starts off on rocky terms but then ends on a friendship. Pacino is the highlight and best of this film as he is what makes this movie worth watching. The waltz scene is great, but the cherry on top is the ending monologue. Pacino is at his best during that scene. Give this film and try and say, “Hoo-ah!”
