Scent of a Woman

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Scent of a Woman

R

1992

2h 37m

Holiday

Drama

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Popcornmeter

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

01/11/2023

1/4

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.

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Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

05/27/2011

3/5

While fairly predictable and unoriginal, it is nevertheless entertaining.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

05/27/2011

An irascible bully who proves to have a heart of gold, Pacino's character seems manufactured by a computer programmed with box-office grosses.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jun 2

2/4

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

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

May 27

3.5/5

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.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

May 12

6/10

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]

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Christian K

@ckacar Mar 26

Can't believe what I just watched. Pacino achieved most acting and there are no challengers left. This movie is like an hour too long but the insanity of the Pacino performance carries you through it.

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thiago S

@Thiagostone Mar 13

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom, e a atuação do al pacino salvou o filme, porque o filme é fraco demais

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Academia Z

@Academiazagrat Feb 28

I bumped across this movie on Netflix on a rainy Saturday afternoon. I have been taken through a roller coaster of emotions. Although the plot is quite predictable, it has no holes and keeps you engaged throughout the entire duration. Just disappointed I didn’t get to see the 10/10 woman Slade went to see at night. A great watch overall.

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Justin D.

@Movie-Buff101 Feb 10

Great movie. I’ve always been the outcast and a jerk so this one touched me in a way most movies can’t. Held my attention the whole way and the speech at the end was dynamite! Give this one a view

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21 - Priyan B

@Priyan Jan 15

Such a beautiful movie. Rating: 8/10

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Christian M

@chriss17eu Dec 19

Generally, remakes rarely convince me, often falling short. 'Scent of a Woman', however, is the rare exception. It stands firmly on its own, even surpassing the original in emotional depth. While not fully faithful in style, it preserves the core story, reimagined with a distinct pulse, tone, and sensitivity. Al Pacino delivers a commanding performance, inhabiting his character with authenticity, while Chris O’Donnell complements him with grounded energy. Martin Brest’s direction is intelligent and controlled, balancing restraint and emotional resonance. The film’s elegance lies in portraying a deeply broken figure who experiences life through the soul rather than sight. More than a story, it is a profoundly human experience. Its impact is undeniable, making it a cinematic must-see, even without comparing it to the source novel.

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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

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Scent of a Woman: Official Clip - Ferrari Test Drive

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Scent of a Woman: Official Clip - I'm In the Dark

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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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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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