Scent of a Woman - A Movie Review

You never know what adventures you’ll take or who you will meet.

Scent of a Woman was released to theaters in 1992. In need of making extra money, Charlie, a college student, agrees to look after a blind man. But this is not your average blind man. Caught up in dilemmas, Charlie learns a life lesson with the gruff Colonel Frank on a big adventure.

Scent of a Woman is an evocative film. It demonstrates a powerful friendship among an unlikely duo. I did not believe that the film would have a big impact on me. Scent of a Woman is a deep story about representation, friendship, and growth.

Al Pacino’s incredible performance as a blind man was honest. Before filming began, Pacino did his research. He went to a school for the blind to make his performance more authentic. Because his sense of smell is enhanced due to his blindness, Colonel Frank had a unique talent for recognizing expensive perfumes.

Colonel Frank is a hard shell to crack. Pacino did a profound job with the journey of his character slowly figuring out his true worth. He emulates the pain of his character very well.

Before this film, I never heard of Chris O’Donnell. Caught up in the wrong dilemma, Charlie refuses to take a stand. With the information that we learn about Charlie, he meets Colonel Frank at the right time.

Shy and unsure, Charlie lets people walk all over him. I am astounded by his emotional journey. O’Donnell said so much through his eyes. Stand up for your own.

Pacino and O’Donnell were outstanding in their interactions. They built a genuine friendship. Not all friendships start on the right course, but to become friends we have to understand one another. Friendship is a gift. No matter the age, we learn so much about ourselves and what we are capable of.

One of the most impactful scenes in the film was their heartwrenching argument. Pacino and O’Donnell bore incredible emotions. The pacing is another element that I admired about Scent of a Woman. The film took its time. It captured every moment of what these characters thought about each other.

Get ready for a rowdy Thanksgiving dinner. Dropping in unannounced to his distant family’s Thanksgiving, drama ensues. Everyone in the supporting cast had an important role to fill. Some credits to mention are James Rebhorn, Gabrielle Anwar, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Venture, Bradley Whiteford, Frances Conroy, and many more.

Expect a delightful tango dance from Gabrielle Anwar. Expect the unexpected. Just like how you never know what’s going to occur in life, adventures are always out there. Take a walk, drive in a car, and get a delicious meal.

Taking place in New York City we are treated to several familiar landmarks. We all see the world differently. Adventures with somebody new made the journey all the more impactful. Take the opportunity to travel.

At first, I found the runtime of the film daunting. Every scene is important. Martin Brest closely followed this journey. He did a great job in his direction with the actors. The camera angles were engrossing. Slowly, we feel the tension disappear and a friendship grows.

Brest put his passion into the making of Scent of a Woman. The message touches all audiences. We can do anything that we set our hearts to, no matter the disability. You gotta do what you gotta do. Whatever happens in life, embrace the challenge and take the adventure.

Scent of a Woman is a masterpiece. I recommend that you find the film and watch it. I enjoyed every moment of it.