At this point in his career, Pacino was starting to change a little his acting techniques and still remain great, but it wasn't only a great over the top performance, he also portrayed a blind person like no other actor i ever seen it.

The movie is simple and good, Pacino is the one who elevated the whole material, the tango scene is great and the entire scene when Pacino gives his speech at the school is amazing .

Thank God! Pacino FINALLY received the Oscar statue he so rightfully deserved in all the years he was in the acting business. It's nice to know the Academy finally came to their senses, and awarded him a Best Actor Oscar for this landmark role. This is one of his most memorable performances, and I'm sure when people think Pacino they think about his portrayal of the blind Colonel Slade. Hoo ha!

The movie itself is not, technically, great. Very good, but not great. The plot is quite predictable and driven via patented Hollywood devices. The courtroom climax contains one of Pacino's most powerful monologues. However, its outcome is melodramatic.

Personally, I thought the whole idea of Pacino being more perceptive of the world than any man or woman with perfect eyesight was far-fetched and sometimes more implausible than stunning. I'm sure there are blind men in the world who ARE in fact very perceptive to what goes on in the world, but few--if any--who can recall a whole history triggered simply by the sound of one's voice. How is he able to tell Chris O'Donnell has pimples? He's not handicapped by blindness; this guy has psychic powers! He doesn't need sight!

I do have to say that some of the most memorable lines come from this movie. Pacino says some original and wildly funny monologues involving subject matter I cannot discuss in this message. And of course there's the timeless quote: "Hoo ha!" Which later became a Pacino trademark.

"Scent of a Woman" is a somewhat flawed, but effective and entertaining film. It's a must-see for Pacino fans everywhere! It's not everyday you can catch a performance this powerful!

My score: 8 (out of 10)

Pacino's Col. Slade is a portrait of turmoil. Not because he's blind, but because he's never been able to rise above the blindness and still find peace with himself and with the world. One of the great tragic characters of recent years. His story is much like Hickey's in "Iceman Cometh" or Howard Beale's in "Network." They never think they do good in the world with what they have, so they find themselves in this dark hole and they stay there. No one can help them out. No one looks after them. No one feels what they feel. As years go on and opportunities are lost, the dark hole gets filled with a lot anger, sorrow and possibly regret. Can they be healed? Do they want to be healed?

In "Scent of a Woman," Pacino presents this dark, gloomy character perfectly in his Oscar winning performance. He overwhelms you with his constant bellowing and ordering of O'Donnell's Charlie. He's a man who never left the Military. My guess is that you can never take the military of out the man, only the man out of the military. He doesn't blame anyone or anything for his blindness. He's man who thinks that somehow, he was destined to "tour the battlefield" this way.

Why is Pacino such a beast acting? I'll tell you why. His passion. Passion that overwhelms all surrounding him. His voice starts roaring and he forgets that he is Al Pacino. He suddenly becomes his character, he stops seeing around him and he is now a prisoner in his role.

The movie is about Pacino. His acting is grand, superb, majestic, heart-wrenching, deep, emotional, so forth. His portrayal of a blind man dangling in the rope of his life, is not only credible but immensely touching. We see directly, through his crystalline performance all of the pain that griefs on his character. Any other actor would have given a corny, over the top performance. Pacino is the Ace.

Chris O' Donnell gives also a fantastic performance, shy and unsure will start to understand Colonel Frank Slade in a short trip that will change their future lives. This movie is not Hollywood Rubish. Martin Brest directs a movie that hits no cheap feelings and floods on great emotions that immediately contact the viewer. You have to be rock solid to not be touched.

A masterpiece, one of the best studies on man's desperation, helped by wonderful performances and and a stirring, poignant script, with no wasted lines. You will raise goosebumps with scenes like the tango scene, you will laugh, you will cry, you will feel empathy, sorrow, anger. Isn't this movie the Holy Grail of Emotions.

Don't miss it. One of a kind.

I think this incredible movie leaves a legacy of life, it makes us appreciate life an also understand that a life can be lived in a minute just like Al Pacino says in one of this movie's most beautiful scenes, it also talks about values, integrity, and moral principles, by sides of this movie's wonderful script it's incredible cast makes it one of the most outstanding movies I have ever seen. The incredible scene of tango, the deep arguments about life between Al Pacino's character and Chris O'Donnell's, and also those scenes when Al Pacino's character senses women's scent and tells them the name of the perfume or the name of the soap it's really amazing, all of this with the sarcastic sense of humor of this movie, it's really great. I TRULY RECOMMEND TO SEE IT

Truly amazing acting by Al Pacino and a long overdue Oscar finally received. Also, O'Donell had a very fine performance. It is incredibly hard to act like Al did, specifically given his condition, but he did a master work in my opinion. Truly recommended for everyone. A masterpiece. Kudos to the director as well. And some scenes, like the dancing are just amazing. The passport to heaven, he says. Isn't that a wonderful statement? I wish there were more films like this made. And a great comeback for Al. If he had to come back from anything, that is. Movies like this are pure inspiration. To fight. And never give up. And thats what Al did. He never gave up.

I always like to watch this film. The way the film has been portrait it's awesome. One of the Al Pachino's best film. Powerful and beautiful acted by Al Pachino. Love to watch this film again again. Love you colonel

Al Pacino's performance was by far the highlight of this film. He played a blind man impressively and convincingly. The charisma he brought to the role made the movie worth watching. I liked the overall idea behind the story, but the plot itself left much to be desired. I felt the movie was way too long at 2 1/2 hours. It really dragged especially toward the end. Also, in my opinion it lacked sufficient character development particular with "Charley" (O'Donnell). I did not have a good sense of who he really was, what he was about, and why I should even care anyway. His character had very little depth and no personality save for a shy, timid student who is intimidated by the Colonel (Pacino). I did not see how their characters really complimented one another even with the well-written monologues delivered by Pacino. And Charley's storyline seemed dull and his plight insignificant. He witnesses a prank on the headmaster by some classmates and is conflicted on whether or not he should blab - so what? All in all, I felt "Scent of a Woman" was rather overrated but Al Pacino fans should definitely check it out because he definitely delivered an Oscar-worthy performance in my opinion. Besides that, you're not missing much.

Al Pacino (The Godfather, Looking for Richard) won an Oscar for Best Actor for his outstanding performance as Lt. Col. Frank Slade. I have the tape and have watched it a bazillion times. I have seen many other actors playing a blind man but Pacino outwits them all. I have watched it closely just to watch his eyes. He is terrific! Every time we watch the movie we spend at least two days going: "Oo-rah!" I like prep school movies and I have two movies where Chris O'Donnell (Circle of Friends) Charlie Simms is in a prep school. I guess it goes with his type. I like the part of Charlie who is doing the best he can with the weekend he has to face. One of the most difficult things for people is to feel is useless. That is how Lt. Co. Frank Slade feels. He also has a cynicism about life that in a sense is funny because of its irony. He meets Charlie and has everything planned out. The Colonel has extremely good taste. Meeting young Charlie, who is in a very difficult situation, the outspoken Lt. Col. found a reason to live and to feel useful again, even enjoying the smell of the perfume of Charlie's teacher. I did not see the 1974 Italian film "PROFUMO DI DONNA," but would love to see the performance of the late Vittorio Gassman, one of the most well known actor of the Italian Theater and Cinema. My Favorite Scenes: Lt. Col. driving in New York city, dancing tango, and giving a speech before the student body, to clear up Charlie's name. This is a great movie! My Favorite Quotes: Lt. Col. Frank Slade: "Oo-rah!" ..." But there isn't nothing' like the sight of an amputated spirit, there is no prosthetic for that.." "There are two kinds of people in this world, Charlie. The first group are the people that face the music; the second group are those who run for cover. Cover is better."

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.

Michael Corleone was the best, Tony Montana sublime but Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade aint far behind in one of the greatest performances i've ever witnessed from the legend that is Al Pacino.

Agreeing with some that the last scene in the 'courtroom' wasnt all that necessary (but still uplifting) the rest of the film is fantastic. Pacino gives Slade authority, humour, stuborness and a sense of class few could manage.

O'Donnell pulls off the 'wet-behind-the-ears' role of Charlie Simms very well considering the presence of Pacino, giving the role exactly what it needed, somebody to take Pacino's crap and look completely out of his depth (the character not the actor).

The scene in the hotel room where Slade tells Simms to pass him over a few bottles of that 'John Daniels' and Simms responds 'don't you mean Jack Daniels' the next line is my one of my favourite ever...

'When you've known him as long as i have kid, you can call him John'

Love the character, love the film, for once the Oscars got it right 1993s best actor in a leading role deserved it fully.

Scent of a woman is my favorite movie from Al Pacino. It just hits you so deep even if you don't even relate with the characters. Knowing that this is the only movie that Al Pacino got an oscar for explains a lot. Not to discard his other performances but his performance in this movie is certainly my favorite. Chris O'Donnell and Al Pacino helped bring out the best in each other and they couldn't have done it better. I watched this movie a total of three times in consecutive days. I wish I could watch it again for the first time. And it's so quotable too. After watching this movie you get to yell around stuff like "I'm in the dark here!" and "Out of order? Who the hell you think you're talking to?" Go watch it right now!

This is the story of a lonely man gone lost in the darkness of his own mind and sight. A retired Colonel, and his last young recruit, embarks on the Colonel's final mission, but the end is not what either of them could have ever imagined.

Despite being somewhat melodramatic and predictable, this is a high spirited human drama and a definitive Pacino milestone. It has one of the most soul-touching performances I've ever seen by an actor. Al Pacino's character play is nothing less of absolutely stunning. The bonding of O'Donnel's firm performance makes this movie a unforgettable classic.

"Hoohaaah." Two thumbs right up!

It's a captivating story that shows life as a perfect piece of art, despite all the drama, the pain and regret. And all these meanings are concentrated in the tango Al Pacino dances in the restaurant.

Al Pacino shows once again an incredible talent, and I believe his secret are his eyes. This movie, he acts with his eyes...quite amazing because eyesight is exactly what his character has recently lost.

"Scent of a woman" is one of those movies one has to see several times, not because it's too complicated, but because it seems to be new and different every time you see it. Once at the age of 18 and then again after 5 years...It's the same plot, the same story, but something seems different, new...and that is YOU!

I feel this movie moves along with the person watching it...today, tomorrow...and so on, and so on...

This was a different type of story with excellent acting by Al Pacino, who makes a speech at the end of the film that many people think is one of the coolest speeches they've ever heard on film.

Pacino's character, "Lt. Cl. Frank Slade," is a turnoff for awhile because he's so gruff, but he grows on you and becomes fascinating to watch as a blind man who doesn't act like a blind man. Chris O'Donnell, as "Charlie Simms," plays the opposite: a nice, young college kid whom Pacino winds up taking under wing. The only part I didn't care for was the beginning with Charlie's obnoxious friends, but that ties in later with Pacino's memorable speech.

A different kind of story, marred only by a little too much profanity. If you haven't seen it, I recommend checking it out. You'll enjoy it

I do not tend to go along with Hollywood-created cult figures, that kind of hero-worship, idol-making, whatever: you can have your Julia Roberts and such like making endless and mindless blockbuster hits with such insipid nonsense as `Pretty Woman', `Notting Hill' and so on, but it has to be something more serious like Joel Schumacher's `Dying Young' or even Steven Soderbergh's `Erin Brockovich' to convince me that Ms Roberts can/might be a good actress. The same goes for Al Pacino. Until the arrival of `Scent of a Woman' he was just merely another actor of those who come out of the Hollywood mass-manufacturing industry. `Scent of a Woman' changed all that: here Pacino shows he is a grand master, a brilliant actor. It is not important that this film is a redoing of an Italian original, or even whether this film won him an Oscar: the film stands up for its own merits, and Pacino reaches colossal heights in this well-directed drama, ably and willingly aided by a refreshing Chris O'Donnell. Very much a two-man film as the characterisation centres masterfully on these two leading characters, Pacino had to carry out a truly theatre-like interpretation of a blind retired colonel; Bo Goldman's dialogues are up to the challenge, creating some magnificent monologues which Pacino so superbly enacted.

My rating is somewhat higher than the surprisingly low IMDb user rating: a memorable and classic piece of serious cinema which puts Pacino into a very high category.

For the most part, "Scent of a Woman" is standard Hollywood fare, featuring a "heartwarming" and "uplifting" story about personal growth, the strength of friendship, and the discovery that life really isn't so bad after all. The plot involves a young student (Chris O'Donnell), who agrees to watch over a blind and embittered ex-colonel (Al Pacino) for Thanksgiving weekend. He then goes on to teach the older man a few lessons about life, while learning just as much himself. If this sort of relationship sounds familiar, it is because it has been the subject of countless other films (think "Finding Forrester," for instance). "Scent of a Woman" is at least partially redeemed by the presence a few memorable moments, such as the scenes involving the Tango and the Ferrari.

What really sets this film apart, though, is Al Pacino's brilliant performance. Although he tends to overact on occasion (as in some of his other post-1970s films, such as "Scarface"), he still manages to reveal the complexities of his character in a way that no other actor could have managed. While Chris O'Donnell and James Rebhorn are fine in their roles, it is Al Pacino who gives us a reason to watch this otherwise unremarkable film.

I first saw this movie when I was staying with my grandma at her cabin. I was blown away. The story is great, the acting is perfect, and you can't help but get attached to the characters. The relationship, trust, and love that develops as the story unfolds is nearly unparalleled in modern cinema. One of Pacino's BEST performances. Not like some of his other roles. Chris O'Donnel actually puts in probably his best performance of his career. This movie is full of great scenes (Pacino driving the Ferrari), Pacino yelling at the school dean, and unforgettable one-liners (hoo-ah). Do yourself a favor and rent this classic. You will be glad you did. (Also makes a pretty good date movie)

The story concerns an old man and a young man. The old man was once formidable. He saw and achieved much. Then, at the height of his powers, he was struck down by an accident that left him disabled and dependent on others. He takes refuge in cynicism, bigotry, and bullying the few people who can still stand to be around him. The young man, as the story opens, is just a kid. He has promise of a sort. He studies hard, takes jobs at school and on the outside for extra cash, and knows how to obey authority. He may be destined to be just a cog, but he's going to be a cog in a classy wheel somewhere.

One long weekend, the old warrior needs a substitute caretaker, and the young man needs an extra job for money to see his family. They meet, to their mutual dismay. The old man considers the boy a scrub-faced wimp and tells him so, between gulps of whiskey, puffs of cigar smoke, and ghastly war stories. The shocked young man looks frantically for a fire exit. The man decides he's going to see some old stomping grounds and make the weekend an adventure, with his temporary valet in tow. The boy feels obligated to go. After all, his default mode is obedience, even if the boss is a raving, obnoxious nut case.

This wonderful plot idea has yielded first, a 1969 novel by Italian author Giovanni Arpino (who also wrote the book on which "Divorce Italian Style" is based); and two movies - Dino Risi's Profumo di Donna in 1974, with Vittorio Gassman, and Martin Brest's 1992 work, Scent of a Woman, which earned Al Pacino an Academy Award for Best Actor (yes, it should have been Denzel Washington for "Malcolm X," but that wasn't Pacino's fault).

Bo Goldman's 1992 screenplay builds on the first two works. Here, the old warrior plunges into his last wild foray into a world that was once his, bent on showing goody two-shoes what it's all about. The young caretaker finds himself overwhelmed and unable to break away. Beyond that, our young man has just landed, the Friday before the crazy weekend during which the film takes place, by bad luck and no fault of his own, he has landed in deep, career-threatening trouble back at school. So for both members of this mismatched pair, it is a last weekend of sorts -- and a time to consider the problems the other person is facing.

The Italian versions of this story are very European -- touching, troubling, realistic. Life isn't always fair, and Italian cinema doesn't kid about that. There are many movie lovers who feel the Italian approach is artistically, intellectually, and morally superior (see several comments here for example). They decry the Hollywoodization of this poignant story. And what they say is absolutely correct. But it is also true that to Hollywoodize this story into a more positive direction yields more opportunity to develop the plot, and this, to an extent, we get in Scent of a Woman. It may be film school heresy to say this, but in some ways, the 1992 film is the better version, because it adds interplay and drama between the two characters. They both have to face the world. The new ground broken here isn't quite credible but it's interesting in the evolution of this tale. Maybe the story on which Scent of a Woman is based is one of those plots that will be retold and improved again and again. It seems too good to end here. May the next version be the best one yet.

The Scent of A Woman is a turgid, tedious and wholly predictable piece of formula hack work. Al Pacino gives a masterclass in overacting, while never for a second convincing as a blind man. His accent veers all over the southern United States, and he's in practically every scene in a movie that's easily 45 minutes longer than it should be. Worse, we're meant to believe that he can accurately guess an airline stewardess's name simply from her accent and her perfume. Please.

As for Chris O'Donnell, his character Charlie is so nauseatingly anemic, naive and goody- goody that you just want to slap him. Pacino shouts and barks incessantly and interjects 'Hoo-hah!' at the end of O'Donnell's lines throughout. Really, the sheer egotism on display here is staggering: Pacino clearly believes that not only is his obnoxious characterization credible, but that he's also witty, charming and ultimately lovable for his fierce pride, patriotism and independence.

The few attempts at humor are toe-curling in their ineptitude. At one point he tells O'Donnell to call room service and order 'a large John Daniels on the rocks'. When O'Donnell says, 'Don't you mean Jack Daniels?' Pacino responds, 'When you've known him as long as me, you call him John... That's a joke.' (Well Al, technically it's not, because a joke is a witty rejoinder that stands some chance of making you laugh.)

In fact, Pacino's overbearing, scenery-chewing cartoon character invokes nothing but irritation and revulsion. That he won a Best Actor Oscar for this role demeans every other Oscar winning actor in history. That's how goddamn awful this movie really is. A turd, there's no other word for it.