by Michael Lyons
"PACINO." That was sprawled across the top of the movie poster for Scent of a Woman when it was released in 1992. It makes it seem like the movie is about the legendary actor. While Al Pacino is brilliant in the film, deservedly winning his long-awaited Best Actor Oscar, he is the centerpiece of so much more at work in the movie.
The character he plays - loud, brash, demanding attention - is in the spotlight. However, supporting performances, direction, writing and messages also make Scent of a Woman still something so special three decades after its initial release.
Starting at a stuffy, traditional prep school, young Charlie Simms (Chris O' Donnell), looking to make some extra money over Thanksgiving break, agrees to take care of a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel named Frank Slide (Pacino).
Lt. Col. Slade is brash, bitter, rude, and speaks his mind. He is also blind after a military accident took away his sight. He lives with his niece (Margaret Eginton) and her family, who are his caretakers, and they desperately want to get away for the holiday weekend.
Despite how Frank insults him, Charlie takes the job, thinking it will be easy money. Just before leaving for Thanksgiving, a prank is pulled on the dean of his school, and innocent Charlie finds himself unwittingly involved. A hearing will be held on the Monday after the holiday weekend, weighing on Charlie over the four days.
As he arrives at Frank's house, Charlie finds that the Lt. Col. has other plans. Without his niece knowing it, Frank has booked a trip to New York City, and he will be dragging Charlie along. During it, they wind up doing everything from paying an unexpected visit to Frank's brother, tangoing with a beautiful stranger, and even test drive a Ferrari. As an added twist, the Lt. Col. has also planned a tragic end to the Thanksgiving weekend.
During all this, Frank and Charlie form an unlikely bond, during which they help each other and help one another get their lives on a better path. This relationship at the center of Scent of a Woman allows the film to emerge as a powerful character study.
Pacino is mesmerizing in this role. With a career filled with already iconic performances at this point, Frank Slade emerged as one of his best, as he commands every scene, inviting the audience to guess what he will do our say next.
Chris O'Donnell delivers an equally compelling performance on a different level. It isn't easy to deliver in an understated way, and O'Donnell does her perfectly. His emotional confrontation with Pacino toward the film's end is as real and raw as movie moments.
Additionally, there is a "who's who" of solid character actors who make the most of small scenes and moments throughout Scent of a Woman: James Rebhorn is perfectly smug and viscous as the headmaster of the prep school; Bradley Whitford, so on-point as Frank's obnoxious nephew, who satisfyingly gets his comeuppance; Gabrielle Anwar, sweet and luminous as the stranger who dances with Frank; Ron Eldard as an earnest New York City cop and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, in one of his first major roles, as a schmoozy, obnoxious, and clueless schoolmate of Charlie's.
Director Martin Brest (Beverly Hills Cop) brings a comforting, understated style, allowing these performances to take center stage. He also provides a satisfying conclusion when Frank joins (and defends) Charlie at the prep school hearing.
Opening on December 23, 1992, Scent of a Woman connected with critics, audiences, and the Academy. Not only did Pacino win, but the film was nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Picture.
For its thirtieth anniversary, the film is most definitely worth a re-watch (or an actual watch, if you've never seen it), as it’s the kind of film that seems from an era, but wasn't that long ago (today, this movie would most likely be a streaming series).
A remake of the Italian film, Profumo di donna, Scent of a Woman is not just character studies; it's about our internal and external struggles and seeking help from those around us.
It's fitting that Scent of a Woman takes place at Thanksgiving, and it's one of the perfect movies for this time of year, as it's also about how things can change for us from an unexpected connection in our lives, and how we should seek out those connections, without pre-judging others. All in the spirit of the season.
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