Scent of a Woman

R

Released Dec 23, 1992

2h 37m

Holiday

Drama

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List

85%

48 Reviews

Tomatometer

92%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Aender S

Outstanding performance by Al Pacino.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

Gertrude F

A Beautiful story that is elevated by excellent performances from the entire cast. The script really allows the characters' complexities to shine and at the same time doesn't shove everything at you. A couple of the lines felt forced and unnatural, but it really isn't that significant, so we'll let that go. Thoughtful and exhilarating, this is a must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

Full Review

Chloe A

Al Pacino's stunning and powerful performance could overshadow the meaning of the movie itself. However, the remarkable plot and well thought direction, camerawork and screenplay is all but enough to make this movie an absolute work of art. A well deserved Oscar win by Al Pacino and a good message to those with any disability about the importance of life and the wonders it can bring. This movie shows it all with impressive emotion and amazing depth. There is only one way to put this movie and that is: perfection.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

Full Review

David B

I've watched this film several times and I'm always totally blown away by it from so many aspects. No car chases. No guns. No sex. Just old fashioned PLOT. Films like this are rare. Choice of actors is perfect. I was the poor boy in a private school once too, so this resonates deeply with me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/24/23

Full Review

Paul Douglas M

There are many great films that are essentially just a great performance, but where this film transcends that trope is through Bo Goldman's screenplay with all the character arc twists and turns turning the film into a redemption arc. Pacino is is wonderful, creating a sound as a catchphrase. WooHa! Chis O'Donnell holds his own, and that tango scene is pure magic. I watched this film when I was in junior high and during the pandemic went back to it, only to find myself weeping, thinking about my own regrets at 40. Few films can change your life. It's safe to say, during a dark day in 2020, this film saved my life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/23

Full Review

Rilke C

good nose. pinkang sey leng.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/06/23

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.

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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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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

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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: Ronald L. Schwary
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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