Scent of a Woman (1992) (1992)
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88% of critics liked it
(42 reviews) -
90% of users liked it
(106,615 ratings)
Driven by an extravagant, tour-de-force performance by Al Pacino, Scent of a Woman is the story of Frank Slade (Pacino), a blind, retired army colonel who hires Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell), a poor college student on the verge of expulsion, to take care of him over Thanksgiving weekend. At… More Driven by an extravagant, tour-de-force performance by Al Pacino, Scent of a Woman is the story of Frank Slade (Pacino), a blind, retired army colonel who hires Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell), a poor college student on the verge of expulsion, to take care of him over Thanksgiving weekend. At the beginning of the weekend, Frank takes Charlie to New York, where he reveals to the student that he intends to visit his family, have a few terrific meals, sleep with a beautiful woman and, finally, commit suicide. The film follows the mis-matched pair over the course of the weekend, as they learn about life through their series of adventures. Though the story is a little contrived and predictable, it pulls all the right strings, thanks to O'Donnell's sympathetic supporting role and Pacino's powerful lead performance, for which he won his first Academy Award. Scent of a Woman is based on the 1975 Italian film Profumo Di Donna. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
- Directed By
- Martin Brest
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Dec 23, 1992 Wide
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
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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Variety Staff, Variety
Scent of a Woman indulgently stretches a modest conceit well past the breaking point.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Corny and heart-warming, with O'Donnell proving almost a match for the master.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
The good thing is that the principals and film makers make the absolute most of a conventional opportunity.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
By the end of Scent of a Woman, we have arrived at the usual conclusion of the coming-of-age movie, and the usual conclusion of the prep school movie. But rarely have we been taken there with so much intelligence and skill.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Al Pacino
as Lt. Col. Frank Slade
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Chris O'Donnell
as Charlie Simms
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James Rebhorn
as Mr. Trask
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Gabrielle Anwar
as Donna
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Philip Seymour Hoffman
as George Willis Jr.
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Richard Venture
as W.R. Slade
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Bradley Whitford
as Randy
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Ron Eldard
as Officer Gore
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Frances Conroy
as Christine Downes
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Sally Murphy
as Karen Rossi
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Nicholas Sadler
as Harry Havemeyer
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Gene Canfield
as Manny
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William Beckwith
as Oak Room Maitre d'
- Richard Bradford
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Peter Carew
as Bootblack
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Divina Cook
as Night Maid
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J.T. Cromwell
as Ballroom Waiter
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Ahn Duong
as Sofia
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Margaret Eginton
as Gail
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Tom Riis Farrell
as Garry
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Erika Feldman
as Francine Rossi
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Leonard Gaines
as Freddie Bisco
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Baxter Harris
as George Willis Sr.
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David Lansbury
as Michael
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Michael Lisenco
as Cab Driver
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Todd Louiso
as Trent Potter
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Mansoor Najeeullah
as Skycap
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Rochelle Oliver
as Gretchen
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Joseph Palmas
as Bellhop
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Michael Santoro
as Donny Rossi
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June Squibb
as Mrs.Hunsaker
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Max Stein
as Willie Rossi
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Paul Stocker
as Doorman
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Francie Swift
as Flight Attendant
- Ellen Lewis
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Matt Smith
as Jimmy Jameson
