Read Positive User Reviews for Scent of a Woman

9

ArkonBladeAug 28, 2010

now when i first heard of this film i thought it was about some blind guy finding love . so the films title is very misleading which is a very good thing cause the first one woulda bored the hell outa me . no what this film is about is a exnow when i first heard of this film i thought it was about some blind guy finding love . so the films title is very misleading which is a very good thing cause the first one woulda bored the hell outa me . no what this film is about is a ex army colonel frank slade played by al pachino who is a cranky , mean , nasty son of a **** . who plays this role to perfection . as well as a college kid played by chris o donnel who have a adventure in new york . the film is best seen to be understood. i dont know what film the critics saw to give this such low reviews . its a excellent film that has a great story and is very well acted.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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9

FranzHcriticAug 28, 2013

Beautiful film. Pacino's magnum opus. His cantankerous, wise, and somewhat sadistic character surprisingly is a likable one. He plays it to a whole new standard. The performance is a masterpiece of cinema. Loved it the whole time.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

MarkG.Aug 31, 2008

A fine film, if overly drawn out. Its central drawing point is the great acting masterclass given by Mr. Pacino. He really brings a life and charisma to the Lt. Col. that i find hard to imagine other actors capable of replicating. Chris O A fine film, if overly drawn out. Its central drawing point is the great acting masterclass given by Mr. Pacino. He really brings a life and charisma to the Lt. Col. that i find hard to imagine other actors capable of replicating. Chris O Donnell for once appears not to be made out of mahogony, and give a restrained, yet powerful performance as the young student who acts as Pacino's carer. The set pieces are fabulous fun to watch, and include such memorable episodes as the blind Pacino driving a ferrari through the traffic filled streets. Overall, a very enjoyable, and well directed movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

8

ParkerG.Jan 23, 2008

An unexpected treasure found on the shelf of my own DVD collection. I had purchased the movie many months ago based on the Academy Award to best actor. I had no idea what to expect and was completely enraptured with the journey the movie An unexpected treasure found on the shelf of my own DVD collection. I had purchased the movie many months ago based on the Academy Award to best actor. I had no idea what to expect and was completely enraptured with the journey the movie took me on. A wonderful movie. Don't analyze, just enjoy.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

9

Compi24Sep 7, 2015

One of those movies that makes you wish it wasn't a movie and that - somewhere, somehow, in some weird parallel movie universe - Chris O'Donnell and Al Pacino are really still cruising around and having fun in New York City. "Scent Of AOne of those movies that makes you wish it wasn't a movie and that - somewhere, somehow, in some weird parallel movie universe - Chris O'Donnell and Al Pacino are really still cruising around and having fun in New York City. "Scent Of A Woman" is Martin Brest's masterpiece; a crowd-pleaser with a big heart and an absolutely legendary performance from Al Pacino.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

The3AcademySinsNov 29, 2018

Scent of a Woman is an emotional rollercoaster of a film. Incredible performances by Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnel, and even a young Philip Seymour Hoffman illuminate this movie and elevate it to new heights. The story is heartwarming,Scent of a Woman is an emotional rollercoaster of a film. Incredible performances by Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnel, and even a young Philip Seymour Hoffman illuminate this movie and elevate it to new heights. The story is heartwarming, heartbreaking, hilarious, and always poignant. This is a very touching coming of age story and Thanksgiving movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

ViniciusBritoJun 1, 2018

A poor High School boy that lives miles away from his family because of the rich school that he went, looking for the best in his future he got away from his city for that school called Baird. At the school he is a exemplary student and haveA poor High School boy that lives miles away from his family because of the rich school that he went, looking for the best in his future he got away from his city for that school called Baird. At the school he is a exemplary student and have some complicated colleagues that did some things that got him envolved. To get money for see his family at the christmas, the boy, named Charlie, find a job to take care of a war veteran with a peculiar style and visually impaired while his family travel during the thanksgiving and after that he will face a learning adventure with the unexpected happening for him.
This is a story that does have a great plot, even that it is a story that doesn't happen very complex things, but you definely can learn some good stuff with it.
Al Pacino acting is perfect playing the character of Frank Slade, he can absolutely pass the right idea that he is blind, you completely buy it, the moves that he does with his face and just never blink or even seem like he wants to. Also the fact that he portrays a veteran military that got crazy and lost is beautiful, he can make you feel that he is lost without the movie even telling you that yet, he also have the perfect tons of voices to give a lot of different feelings on him, he can be dominant and gross with the voice, giving orders like in the army, or when he feels useless for what happened during his life or even charming and intelligent, a character with multiple layers, Al was perfect in this movie. Chris O'Donnell also did a very good job, because his character is kind of low and innocent with a strong character, but he kind of is like you during the story, lost in what is happening and trying to help up somehow at some moments, i think he did a good job with his voice and purity. Gabrielle Anwar had a fast and small row in the movie, but she definely deserves some recognition as well, even with her few time, what she did was very nice, representing that woman with a life that she though that was alright, she with expressions in the face and with the hole body she could express how unsatisfied she was before and after the encounter with Frank, and also how great she felt while was with him, living a lifetime in a moment.
The soundtrack of this movie is amazing, it does have a melody ta helps to put you inside of that movie and explain and expose what is going on with the characters, and does it with maestry with the character Frank Slade.
There is one special scene that completely make this movie be something unic, the Tango dance scene is great, gorgeous and a teaching of how to treat a woman, the kindness in Pacino's voice and look, even that the character is blind, is unbelievable, the voice that he used in that moment and gracefulness were on point, the sequence have like 5 minutes and have a great quote in it as well.
There is a clash scene that show how great of a actor Pacino is and how good was the job that O'Donnell did, the pain during the scene, and the attempt of saving and deliverance from both characters was insanely well directed and interpreted. You realise what is going on before the character, and that just make us tense and thoughtful of what could happen, there are a lot of tense scenes that just got me out of words during the movie. With moments of calm and despair from the same character trying to achieve his goal, are all great. AL Pacino transmits the pain and tiredness from his character. This scene is great also because it shows that even when you think you are useless in every part and nobody gives a damn, you can be great and not even notice it, in a bunch of different things.
By the end of the movie, there is one of the best speeches in movies, when frank give a real talk about character, honor, integrity with so much love and without losing completely his lost mind, showing that the personage still himself even after he got cleaned up. He says that courage and honor are very important things to keep us fresh, to keep ours souls intacted, without selling it to the others. Speaking all of that in a engaging and passionate way, exposing his pain and weaknesses. During the movie also does have a nice teaching and quote metaphoric about mistaking in life and also keep trying, without fear of if things goes wrong, just keep dancing.
There is one sequence that is necessary a poetic disbelief, for some could be a problem, but for me was nice. The car sequence was like one last shot, and a change of aspects in both characters, Charlie getting what was going on and trying to give Frank another breath of happiness and meaning, while Frank took it and did what he could, wich leaded to one of the best moments of the movie, the clash between them.
For me this is a perfect movie, the acting won it all, the route of the character was great and leaded into something big and very dramatic at the best way, not just shocking, but also teaching. Damn good movie, WOOHAA!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

annbdMay 29, 2019

Masterpiece from beginning to the end. The tears can not be held back here. No doubt, Al Pacino's incarnation in role makes the film perfect. The story is incredible with a lot of comparisons: young - old, elegant - negligent, intelligent andMasterpiece from beginning to the end. The tears can not be held back here. No doubt, Al Pacino's incarnation in role makes the film perfect. The story is incredible with a lot of comparisons: young - old, elegant - negligent, intelligent and principled - chaotic and nervous and so on. Just perfect.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

amheretojudgeNov 5, 2018

grows like a family..

Scent Of A Woman Brest's big wallop of drama is a triumph on the exploration of a single relationship that is weaved out with such eerie ingredients, that it doesn't some fictitious at all. This is an elaborated scriptgrows like a family..

Scent Of A Woman

Brest's big wallop of drama is a triumph on the exploration of a single relationship that is weaved out with such eerie ingredients, that it doesn't some fictitious at all. This is an elaborated script and not a stretchy one, it knows the difference between two. Ticking for more than two and a half hours, it is a delight to watch it reach its destination. By the time it hits the last act, these two characters grows like a family to you. And just like them, they are flawed, morally challenged, emotionally driven and more human than any other.

The structure of the script is your typical textbook one, even the process too is rudimentary but the journey is what sweetens the last victory. Brest is looking for glorifying tiny moments between the transition of the sequences and this is where he sweeps away the charm. Whether then be it to test drive a car or enjoy a dinner or stage a dance, his awareness and tactics of keeping the audience tangled in this aftermath bubble is sensational. The story itself follows like an epilogue of these characters and despite of being pathos, its evolution of growing out to be hopeful, is the actual trump card of the makers.

Speaking of which, Pacino the real gem of the feature is a force to be reckoned with. His eyes, his dialogue delivery, his body language, his ho-ah, everything redefines acting. His performance alone has the potential to pull off this tale with fluidity. Supporting him on a parallel role O'Donnell is decent if not anything extraordinary. Brest never lets the emotions dry out, he keeps them on the surface and the audience on the edge of the seat through his brilliant execution skills. Scent Of A Woman manages to capture all your senses and keep it drawn towards the storytelling.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

SEROJSep 12, 2013

Finally! Something really emotional! The acting is just so amazing that it's hard to believe that it's a movie! I love it and i highly recommend it to people with heart! 9/10

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

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10

JohnCorleoneOct 17, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie was just absolutely world class. Al Pacino's acting was just BRILLIANT and if he didn't win an Oscar for this the world would've gone mad. You are never going to see a film like this ever again. The title of this movie is "Scent of a Woman" where are you ever going to see something like that ever again? It just speaks to you; it's so soft and perfect. All you see today is superheroes and action packed explosion movies. There will never be a classic movie written in this present era ever. Nothing past the 1900s. The way they talk about women in this movie is so accurate; they make men like us go crazy over them. Al Pacino's acting in the plane scene where he talked about women was just brilliant. Women are one of gods greatest creations; ever. The hotel scene where Frank was going to kill himself was just an Oscar winning performance of its own. All you had to do was show that and it would make more than 100 million dollars. This movie teaches you so many things that you learn from Charlie and Frank. The scene with a meeting of the disciplinary committee and the whole student body showed how we should all be like Charlie. "Never sell anybody out to buy your future".… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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8

DJ_KaasJan 3, 2014

Al Pacino did a really great job, good movie, it's worth your time indeed. There are lots of contents and humor in different locations, the film is also serious

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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8

MovieGuysAug 11, 2014

Hoo-ah! Scent of a Woman is an interesting movie. It s a showcase for Al Pacino, and a reason to give him an Oscar. It throws in some life messages and themes to seem important, and gives Al some good quips to make about prep school life. TheHoo-ah! Scent of a Woman is an interesting movie. It s a showcase for Al Pacino, and a reason to give him an Oscar. It throws in some life messages and themes to seem important, and gives Al some good quips to make about prep school life. The character development is on point, an it is entertaining to watch. It doesn't have much substance, but it makes up for it in comedy and themes; and the soundtrack is beautiful.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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8

SpangleMay 17, 2014

Charming, funny, and powerful, Scent of a Woman is a good film anchored by a legendary performance from Al Pacino. Without him, this film would be nothing extraordinary. But, with him, it is elevated significantly. Overall, the story is okCharming, funny, and powerful, Scent of a Woman is a good film anchored by a legendary performance from Al Pacino. Without him, this film would be nothing extraordinary. But, with him, it is elevated significantly. Overall, the story is ok and is somewhat compelling, but every line spoken by Pacino are a mixture of emotions. On the surface, many undeniably funny, but it is also hard-hittingly powerful or inspirational, while many of them are simply depressing, as he is a man who thinks he has no further purpose in life. On top of Pacino, Chris O'Donnell does a great job (as does Philip Seymour Hoffman in a small role RIP), making this even more of an acting showcase, rather than a superb film. However, regardless, the film is incredibly enjoyable and endearing as we learn to love Slade (much like Charlie) and all of his little quirks. Plus, his monologue at the end is absolutely phemomenal and really stands as one of the best monologues in film.

On the negative side of things, it is a tad long. I love getting to see this much of their lives, but if it could be cut down to at least 2:10 rather than almost 2:40, it would be really beneficial. There is really no reason for this one to be so long. Otherwise, Scent of a Woman is a solid film that is lifted to new heights by a bravora performance from a living legend in Al Pacino who continously wows you throughout the film.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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8

alejandro970Feb 20, 2021

Why is this version one hour longer than the Italian original? Did Al Pacino deserve the Best Actor award or not? Those are two enigmas for me. It is true that Pacino acts as hyperactive as a child saturated with sugar, but the film has itsWhy is this version one hour longer than the Italian original? Did Al Pacino deserve the Best Actor award or not? Those are two enigmas for me. It is true that Pacino acts as hyperactive as a child saturated with sugar, but the film has its details that allow him to float like a duck in water: the tango dance and how the chaperone prevents Frank Slade from committing suicide. Of course, a little more attachment to the original and 20 minutes less of footage would have been better.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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10

GDsReviewsJul 9, 2022

A powerful, touching, and emotional movie about two characters who over the course of the movie bond and defend each other when no one else would, with the climax being one of the most powerful and timeless movie speeches in history.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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9

ydnar4Jul 17, 2015

Scent of a Woman is a movie that is just as potent now as it ever was. The plot is promising and it delivers based on an excellent performance by one of the best actors to ever walk this Earth in Al Pacino. I think Pacino does a near perfectScent of a Woman is a movie that is just as potent now as it ever was. The plot is promising and it delivers based on an excellent performance by one of the best actors to ever walk this Earth in Al Pacino. I think Pacino does a near perfect portrayal of his character (although it is not as perfect as Denzel Washington's performance in Malcolm X which lost to Pacino in the 1993 Oscars). Occasionally but appropriately over the top is the best way to describe the performance. Chris O'Donnell is great as well in one of his only notable performances sadly. Scent of a Woman is a heart warming film that is a great watch for the whole family.… Expand