Rent Scent of a Woman (1992)

Another intense, fast talking role for Al Pacino - Scent of a Woman review by RP

Al Pacino won the 'Best Actor' Oscar for his performance in this excellent film. Lengthy at over 2½ hours and very American (although it is a remake of a 1974 Italian film), nevertheless I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is of the relationship that grows between a US high school student (well, Ivy League prep school, I guess equivalent to one of our leading 'public' schools) and a blind, obstreperous, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade. Student (Charlie Simms, well played by Chris O'Donnell) applies for a house-sitting job to look after the Colonel (Al Pacino) over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Colonel has plans for a wild - and final - time in New York, with much drinking, women, and a Ferrari followed by suicide. Student talks him out of the suicide, Colonel helps student with a disciplinary hearing at his school and all ends happily. Al Pacino plays one of his many intense, fast talking roles and is quite convincing as a man who has not made the most of his own opportunities and doesn't want to see Charlie do the same with his life. Philip Seymour Hoffman has a role as a fellow student - in fact all the high school students seem to be played by actors in their twenties rather than by 17 year olds... Pacino's character is not only obstreperous but also dislikeable in many ways, so it's a bit of a surprise when he comes to the aid of Charlie at the end of the film. Pacino deserved an Oscar for other films - his roles in 'The Godfather' I and II and 'Serpico' come to mind, and he finally won it for this film although in my opinion it isn't one of his best. I enjoyed it and rate it as 4/5 stars - it made me smile in places :)

Al comes up trumps - Scent of a Woman review by BE

A mesmerising performance from AP with strong performances from Chris O'Donnell (whatever happened to his film career)? and a very young Philip Seymour Hoffman. First seen twenty-four years ago. It's aged well (apart from the motor cars) and didn't disappoint this time around.

Plausible Pacino - Scent of a Woman review by NC

Think the film was given a cold shoulder in States when it came out, but stands up, even today, as a tour de force for Pacino. Solid portrayal of a blind ex-serviceman with all sorts of problems.

Great speech at the boy's school. A young Seymour Hoffman in evidence as well..............