Scent of a Woman

This article is about the American film. For the Korean drama, see Scent of a Woman (TV series).

Scent of a Woman
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Martin Brest
Produced by	Martin Brest
Screenplay by	Bo Goldman
Based on	Il buio e il miele by Giovanni Arpino
Starring	Al Pacino Chris O'Donnell James Rebhorn Gabrielle Anwar Philip Seymour Hoffman
Music by	Thomas Newman
Cinematography	Donald E. Thorin
Editing by	Harvey Rosenstock William Steinkamp Michael Tronick
Distributed by	Universal Studios
Release date(s)	December 23, 1992 (1992-12-23)
Running time	157 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Scent of a Woman is a 1992 drama film directed by Martin Brest that tells the story of a preparatory school student who takes a job as an assistant to an irascible, blind, medically retired Army officer. It stars Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell, James Rebhorn, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Gabrielle Anwar. It is a remake of the Italian movie Profumo di donna (1974), directed by Dino Risi.

The movie was adapted by Bo Goldman from the novel Il buio e il miele (Italian: Darkness and Honey) by Giovanni Arpino and from the 1974 screenplay by Ruggero Maccari and Dino Risi. Goldman originally titled his adaptation "Stench of a Woman", which was met by resistance from the studio. It was directed by Martin Brest.

Al Pacino won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance; the film was nominated for Best Director (lost to Clint Eastwood for Unforgiven), Best Picture (lost to Unforgiven) and Best Adapted Screenplay (lost to Howards End).

The film won three major awards at the Golden Globe Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Motion Picture – Drama.

Portions of the movie were filmed on location at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, the Emma Willard School, an all-girls school in Troy, New York, and at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York City.

Plot

Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell) is a student at an exclusive New England prep school. Unlike most of his peers, Charlie was not born to a wealthy family. To pay for a flight home for Christmas, Charlie accepts a temporary job over Thanksgiving weekend looking after a retired Army Ranger Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade (Al Pacino), who Charlie discovers to be a cantankerous blind alcoholic.

Charlie and George Willis, Jr. (Philip Seymour Hoffman), another student at the preparatory school, bear witness to several students setting up a prank for the school's headmaster Trask (James Rebhorn). Following the prank, Trask presses Charlie and George to divulge the names of the perpetrators. When Charlie refuses to talk, Trask offers a bribe, a letter of recommendation that would virtually guarantee his acceptance to Harvard. Charlie continues to remain silent but appears conflicted.

Shortly after Charlie arrives, Slade unexpectedly whisks Charlie off on a trip to New York City. Slade reserves a room at the Waldorf-Astoria. During dinner at an upscale restaurant, Slade glibly states the goals of the trip, which involve enjoying luxurious accommodations in New York before "blowing his brains out". Charlie is taken aback and does not know if Slade is serious.

They pay an uninvited surprise visit to Slade's brother's home for Thanksgiving dinner. Slade is an unpleasant surprise for the family, as he deliberately provokes everyone and the night ends in acrimony.

As they return to New York, Charlie tells Slade about his complications at school. Slade advises Charlie to inform on his classmates and go to Harvard, warning him that Willis will probably be pressured into not maintaining silence. Later at a restaurant, Charlie and Slade observe Donna (Gabrielle Anwar), a beautiful young woman waiting for her date. Although blind, Slade leads Donna in a spectacular tango ("Por una Cabeza") on the dance floor. That night, he hires an escort.

Deeply despondent the next morning, Slade responds to Charlie's suggestion that they test drive a Ferrari. Charlie lets Slade drive the car and Slade begins speeding, attracting the attention of a police officer (Ron Eldard), who Slade manages to appease without giving away his blindness.

When they return to the hotel, Slade sends Charlie out on list of errands. Charlie initially leaves the room but quickly becomes suspicious. Charlie returns to find Slade preparing to commit suicide. Charlie intervenes and attempts to grab Slade's gun. Slade, however, easily overpowers him. After a tense argument, Slade backs down.

The two return to New England. At school, Charlie and Willis are subjected to a formal inquiry in front of the student body and the student/faculty disciplinary committee. As headmaster Trask is opening the proceedings, Slade unexpectedly returns to the school, joining Charlie on the auditorium stage for support. For his defense, Willis has enlisted the help of his wealthy father, and divulges the names of the perpetrators, qualifying that his vision wasn't clear. When pressed for more details, Willis passes the burden to Charlie. Although struggling with his decision, Charlie gives no information, so Trask recommends Charlie's expulsion. At this, Slade cannot contain himself and launches into a passionate speech defending Charlie and questioning the integrity of a system that rewards informing on colleagues. The disciplinary committee decides to place on probation the students named by Willis, and to give Willis neither recognition nor commendation for his testimony. They excuse Charlie from any punishment, to loud applause from the student body.

As Charlie escorts Slade to his limo, a female political science teacher who was part of the disciplinary committee approaches Slade, commending him for his speech. Seeing a spark between them, Charlie tells the teacher that Slade served on President Lyndon Johnson's staff. A romantic prospect is hinted between Slade and the teacher as they part ways.

Charlie takes Slade home, where they part ways. The colonel walks towards his house and greets his niece's young children happily.

Cast

• Al Pacino as Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade
• Chris O'Donnell as Charlie Simms
• James Rebhorn as Mr. Trask
• Gabrielle Anwar as Donna
• Philip Seymour Hoffman as George Willis, Jr.
• Richard Venture as W.R. Slade
• Bradley Whitford as Randy Slade
• Rochelle Oliver as Gretchen Slade
• Gene Canfield as Manny
• Tom Riis Farrell as Garry Slade
• Nicholas Sadler as Harry Havemeyer
• Todd Louiso as Trent Potter
• Frances Conroy as Christine Downes
• Ron Eldard as Officer Gore

Production

Scent of a Woman was filmed in the following locations:

• Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
• Dumbo, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
• Emma Willard School, 285 Pawling Avenue, Troy, New York, USA
• Hempstead House, Sands Point Preserve, 95 Middleneck Road, Port Washington, Long Island, New York, USA (school)
• Kaufman Astoria Studios, 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA (studio)
• Long Island, New York, USA
• Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
• Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, NJ
• New York City, New York, USA
• Pierre Hotel, Fifth Avenue & 61st Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA (ballroom where Frank and Donna dance the tango)
• Port Washington, Long Island, New York, USA
• Princes Bay, Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA
• Princeton, New Jersey, USA
• Queens, New York City, New York, USA
• Rockefeller College—Upper Madison Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
• Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA
• The Oak Room, The Plaza Hotel, 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA (where Frank and Charlie have dinner)
• Troy, New York, USA
• Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, 301 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Reception

Scent of a Woman was released to an overwhelmingly positive critical reception. The film holds a 88% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, and 7.8/10 stars on IMDB.com based on 29 critic reviews.

Al Pacino won an Academy Award for Best Actor, the first of his career after 7 previous nominations.

Some criticised the film for its running time. Variety's Todd McCarthy said it "goes on nearly an hour too long. Newsweek's David Ansen stated that a 2¹⁄₂-hour running time was too long.

American Film Institute recognition:

• AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes:
  • "Hoo-ah!" - Nominated

Box office

The film earned $63,095,253 in the US and $71 million internationally, totaling $134,095,253 worldwide.

See also

• Scent of a Woman (soundtrack)

External links

• Scent of a Woman at the Internet Movie Database
• Scent of a Woman at Rotten Tomatoes
• Scent of a Woman at Box Office Mojo