The saying goes that when the student is ready the master will appear. When faced with a crisis at school young Charlie Simms finds the unlikeliest of masters in curmudgeonly Colonel Slade. Over the course of one weekend both men are tried and tested in ways that leave them profoundly changed for the better. At once a coming of age story and a tale of redemption, 1992's Scent of a Woman is just the sort of film that they don't make them quite like anymore.
The story begins with prep school student Charlie Simms applying for a job to help pay for his flight home for Christmas. He replies to an ad on the school's job board and finds himself tasked with acting as a companion to blind and abrasive retired colonel Frank Slade over Thanksgiving weekend. Before he can start his new position, however, Charlie witnesses his classmates engaging in a prank against the school's headmaster. The headmaster then offers him a proposition; tell who was behind the prank and obtain a personal reference for admission to Harvard or refuse and face expulsion. Even as he grapples with his decision, Charlie finds himself whisked along for Frank's 'last hurrah' spree in which he plans to engage in the height of life's pleasures before succumbing to a military style suicide. Over the course of the ensuing weekend both Charlie and Frank learn valid lessons in honor, integrity, and what it means to be a man.
Scent of a Woman relates a deceptively simple tale of two men thrown together by chance for a holiday weekend. This character study strikes an unusual balance between slice of life indie drama and compelling coming of age story the likes of which Hollywood has rarely seen. The focus upon Charlie and Frank's unique crises allows viewers to get to know both characters, even as it raises vital questions about our own personal experiences and choices. The script deftly weaves between moments of tense drama, sly comedy, and unabashed romance without a single misstep. Similarly, the gradual pace and engaging performances ensure that even at their most outrageous the characters feel unnervingly real. In an era in which cinema is dominated by larger than life action heroes the struggles that Charlie and Frank face seem relatively simple, and entirely relateable. As a result, viewers will be hard pressed not to empathize with and root for these two very different characters. Even as it presents viewers with two entirely human and all too flawed leads, it offers valid lessons in integrity, honor, and responsibility that remain as resonant now as they were in 1992. This holiday season breathe in the full charm, laughter, and inspiration that await within Scent of a Woman.
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| "If you make a mistake and get all tangled up just tango on" |
Nearly thirty years after its release Scent of a Woman remains a fan favorite thanks to the work of its cast. Gabrielle Anwar turns in one of the film's most memorable performances in her show stopping cameo as Charlie and Frank's sultry acquaintance, Donna. In an early supporting role as Charlie's sleazy classmate and fellow witness, George, Phillip Seymour Hoffman displays the talent that would make him one of the most versatile actors in modern Hollywood. James Rebhorn expertly captures the petty vindictiveness of headmaster Mr. Trask. Richard Venture and Bradley Whitford personify world weariness and bitterness as Frank's beleaguered brother and nephew. Even in the midst of engaging performances the film is dominated by the unlikely duo of Chris O'Donnell and Al Pacino. O'Donnell aptly portrays Charlie's journey from idealistic boy to a young man of integrity without missing a beat. Pacino more than earns his Oscar in a performance that begins intentionally over the top but gains nuance and complexity as both Charlie and viewers get to know the man behind the bravado.
Coming of age story, slice of life, and tale of redemption; all of these things and more can be found in the Scent of a Woman. The script utilizes wit and emotion with equal skill as it relates a simple tale to profound effect. The uniformly superb work of the cast brings the film's array of colorful characters to vibrant life. Through its call to honor and unabashed belief in redemption the film offers lessons in integrity that we could all benefit from being reminded of. This Thanksgiving weekend hit the town with Charlie and Frank in Scent of a Woman.
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