Scent of a Woman

Play trailer

2:40

Scent of a Woman

R

Released Dec 23, 1992

2h 37m

Holiday

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Frank is a retired Lt. Col. in the US army. He's blind and impossible to get along with. Charlie is at school and is looking forward to going to college. To help pay for a trip home for Christmas, he agrees to look after Frank over Thanksgiving. Frank's niece says this will be easy money, but she didn't reckon on Frank spending his Thanksgiving in New York.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

As the irascible, drunken Frank Slade, Al Pacino is convincingly obnoxious and loutish, but the character doesn't grow: this is a lout with, underneath it all, the heart of a lout.

Rated: 1/4

Jan 11, 2023

Full Review

Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

While fairly predictable and unoriginal, it is nevertheless entertaining.

Rated: 3/5

May 27, 2011

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

An irascible bully who proves to have a heart of gold, Pacino's character seems manufactured by a computer programmed with box-office grosses.

May 27, 2011

Full Review

Steve Warren

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

Scent of a Woman stinks.

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

There's nothing as convincing as an Army vet talking to privileged prep school boys about boys in battle getting legs blown off, and how, when the bullets fly downrange, some boys run and some stand their ground. Every high schooler needs to see it.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 29, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Pacino's performance is that rare kind that captivates all on its own, stealing every scene away from everyone else in it.

Rated: 7/10

Dec 7, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

Whoo-ah, man finally got an oscar

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

Larry K

Pacino is awesome in this, one of the best actors of all time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/04/25

Full Review

Rami A

Martin Brest's "Scent of a Woman" is a beautiful coming-of-age story. It features some of the most stunning performances, a well-written script, character development, and arcs. The story also teaches us to be good people and never let anyone take us for granted.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

Full Review

paul o

Pacino gives a truly brilliant acting performance as a blind man.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/01/25

Full Review

Paula M

I thoroughly enjoyed this film.Pacino obviously brilliant but strong performances across the board, especially from Chris O'Donnell. A couple of minor glitches but it carried me along and was highly entertaining throughout.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

Full Review

Johannes S

I just love watching Al Pacino, he is just amazing. The story drags a bit in the middle part, but the ending makes up for it. What a speech!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/29/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Martin Brest

Director

Al Pacino

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade

Chris O'Donnell

Charlie Simms

James Rebhorn

Mr. Trask

Gabrielle Anwar

Donna

Philip Seymour Hoffman

George Willis, Jr.

Scent of a Woman: Official Clip - Frank Defends Charlie in Court

2:48

Scent of a Woman: Official Clip - Ferrari Test Drive

2:52

Scent of a Woman: Official Clip - I'm In the Dark

3:04

Scent of a Woman: Official Clip - The Tango

4:00

Scent of a Woman: Official Clip - The One That Got Away

2:34

Scent of a Woman: Official Clip - Gray Ghosts

2:36

Scent of a Woman: Official Clip - Charlie Meets Frank

2:59

Scent of a Woman: Official Clip - Frank's Pearls of Wisdom

2:25

View more videos

Clockers

75%

74%

Clockers

Watchlist

The Boxer

81%

74%

The Boxer

Watchlist

One True Thing

87%

71%

One True Thing

Watchlist

The Last Temptation of Christ

82%

84%

The Last Temptation of Christ

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Last Temptation of Christ

Once Around

70%

73%

Once Around

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Some Small "Superman" Sequel Stuff

In Other News…Rose McGowan, Al Pacino, Daryl Hannah, and James Doohan

See It/Skip It: Thanksgiving Movies

2:49

Scent of a Woman: Trailer 1

2:40

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Frank is a retired Lt. Col. in the US army. He's blind and impossible to get along with. Charlie is at school and is looking forward to going to college. To help pay for a trip home for Christmas, he agrees to look after Frank over Thanksgiving. Frank's niece says this will be easy money, but she didn't reckon on Frank spending his Thanksgiving in New York.

Director: Martin Brest
Producer: Martin Brest
Screenwriter: Bo Goldman
Production Co: Universal Pictures, City Lights Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Holiday, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 23, 1992, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $62.1M
Runtime: 2h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now