Scent of a Woman

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Scent of a Woman

R

Released Dec 23, 1992

2h 37m

Holiday

Drama

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82%

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50 Reviews

92%

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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.

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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.

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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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

There’s exactly one lovely scene in the entire picture -- the rest is mawkish, manipulative, heavy-handed, and hokey.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 2, 2025

Full Review

Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Scent of a Woman may run a little too long at 157 minutes, but that doesn't stop it from being a rather captivating story, featuring intriguing characters, as well as a commanding, unforgettable, and Oscar-winning performance from the legendary Al Pacino.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 27, 2025

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Aside from Al Pacino's stellar performance, I have the feeling that its fragrance isn't very strong and, unfortunately, its dramatic essence is too conventional in dealing with themes of loneliness, anguish, and acceptance. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

May 12, 2025

Full Review

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Cody W.

Thoughtful, emotional, and well executed, SCENT OF A WOMAN delivers a fantastic story, and gives one of the world’s best known actors, Al Pacino, the performance of a lifetime.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Test T

I watched this on DVD over 30 years after it's release. At a basic level it's a very simple story about a couple of days in two men's lives which ends much as it begins. What makes it fascinating to watch is the way the characters of the two men are revealed over those two days, and the tenuous bond which gradually forms between them. The film is full of diverse and often intimate detail which, while mostly trivial, is used to great effect in developing the story over it's lengthy two and a half hour runtime. I did enjoy watching, but felt as if I had been taken hostage by a film about subjects I really wasn't that interested in, suggesting that beneath the surface there is very powerful story telling expertise at work. I did notice the soundtrack which seemed just right helping reinforce the mood of the film. Clearly Al Pacino's award winning performance is central to the film's success, although I think it is robustly supported by the team around him in this film. I do reccomend watching this movie, because it is expertly made and offers an intense viewing experience many other films don't achieve.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

Full Review

Rick S

Not a believable plot and dialogue seemed forced and overly sensational. The acting was good but the young student appeared unengaged at times. Pacino’s character also felt stagnated and stoic.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/03/25

Full Review

Judson H.

Al Pacino gives one of his best and most interesting performances to date.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

Full Review

Stephen C

A success and a holiday treat in 2 hours and 37 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Whoo-ah, man finally got an oscar...

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

Full Review

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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

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Scent of a Woman: Trailer 1

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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)

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