Classic: Scent of a Woman (1992)

The Plot

Charlie Simms takes up a weekend job to be Colonel Frank Slade’s aide for the Thanksgiving weekend. He takes time to warm up to the real nature of the Colonel. The Colonel also starts taking a liking for Simms gradually and takes him along to New York City for an adventurous couple of days that includes staying in a gorgeous hotel, some great food, never ending booze, beautiful ladies and a Ferrari car ride. The Colonel plans to blow himself out at the end of these couple of days because he has no support from his family and he feels lonely. But Simms talks him out of this and convinces him to fight on in life.

Simms also has a problem in his school as he is witness to a notorious act of vandalism by a group of rich brats. Just when his future is about to be brushed off by the disciplinary committee of the Baird school, Colonel Slade steps in as his guardian and delivers a knockout speech that salvages young Simms’ life. The Colonel starts feeling full of life and looks forward to spending time with his grand kids in the end as Simms looks on in glee. 

                                                                         

Hits

• Al Pacino’s Oscar winning show. Such a different portrayal of the blind man. No exaggerated expressions to prove that he is blind. But, his aggressive voice that mouths expressions like “Whoo ha”, “Ha” and dialogs like “I am just getting warmed up”, “I am feeling super, superior, superfluous” stay with us. The scene where he attempts to shoot himself, the scene where he describes the woman’s body, the climax committee scene, the way he dances a tango with a young girl Donna, the way he eats paper etc. etc. are moments that prove Al Pac’s powerhouse talent. 
• Chris O'Donnell as Charlie Simms, the young, decent Baird student who never loses his temper and is so calm and collected is the perfect foil to the aggressive and lively Al Pac. The intense emotional scene where he convinces Colonel Slade to live on and not kill himself and the way he abuses him as a “blind motherfucker” is one rare moment when he loses his composure. 
• Thomas Newman’s music is mild and soothing. Perfect for such a humane drama. 
• Philip Seymour Hoffman as one of the students George proves his childishness and restlessness in the final committee scene. 

VERDICT

A different sort of male bonding movie that moves at a leisurely pace. But, Al Pacino’s out of the world performance is worth a look-in, any number of times.