Scent of a Woman is not so much a story of one mans repressed humanity finally breaking through after many years locked away in a dark shed as it is an attempted showcase for Al Pacinos acting skill. Pacino is undoubtedly one of the finest American screen actors of any generation, let alone his own, which is why his performance in this picture is an entirely frustrating experience.
Why was is necessary for Pacino to shout every last word? The man is intimidating enough without him having to burst your ear drums. I suspect that much of the films budget went on strepsils for Pacino and ear plugs for the crew. If this man ever got his hands on a loud speaker he could clear half the world's trees of their leaves with one short monologue! Yes, the character was intended to come across as overbearing... but why at the risk of serious and lasting damage to the viewer?
How could this character, who could dance a perfect Tango, drive a Ferrari, dismantle a hand-gun and repeatedly pre-empt and outwit the actions of all supporting characters despite his blindness, manage to make pouring a whiskey such a difficult task? Do we really need to be reminded that this man can't see in such an obvious way? Apparently we are incapable of remembering this for more than five minutes, so continuous are his fumblings!
During many scenes I felt manipulated, I could feel the director tugging at my feelings rather than gently manipulating them or moulding them beyond my awareness. Especially when Al visits his brother and receives abuse from his nephew, who displays such contempt and wicked spitefulness, that your forced to begin your transition from loathing to empathising with him.
On a plus, note the film was beautifully captured, especially the scenes in and around New Hampshire. Its just shame that the undoubted quality of the cast and crew could not shine through, blinded as they were by Pacino's attempts to deafen.
Why was is necessary for Pacino to shout every last word? The man is intimidating enough without him having to burst your ear drums. I suspect that much of the films budget went on strepsils for Pacino and ear plugs for the crew. If this man ever got his hands on a loud speaker he could clear half the world's trees of their leaves with one short monologue! Yes, the character was intended to come across as overbearing... but why at the risk of serious and lasting damage to the viewer?
How could this character, who could dance a perfect Tango, drive a Ferrari, dismantle a hand-gun and repeatedly pre-empt and outwit the actions of all supporting characters despite his blindness, manage to make pouring a whiskey such a difficult task? Do we really need to be reminded that this man can't see in such an obvious way? Apparently we are incapable of remembering this for more than five minutes, so continuous are his fumblings!
During many scenes I felt manipulated, I could feel the director tugging at my feelings rather than gently manipulating them or moulding them beyond my awareness. Especially when Al visits his brother and receives abuse from his nephew, who displays such contempt and wicked spitefulness, that your forced to begin your transition from loathing to empathising with him.
On a plus, note the film was beautifully captured, especially the scenes in and around New Hampshire. Its just shame that the undoubted quality of the cast and crew could not shine through, blinded as they were by Pacino's attempts to deafen.