Scent of a woman - review

Scent of a Woman

Scent of a Woman is a 1992 film written by Giovani Arpino and adapted by Bo Goldman, which tells the story of a preparatory student who decides to “babysit” a blind,retired Army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade (Al Pacino) so that he could earn money. However, the job ends up not being what Charlie Simms (Chris O’Donell) anticipated.

CharlieSimms is one of the few students from a modest background and attends on a scholarship, therefore, he decides to take this job in order to pay for his flight home to Oregon for Christmas.Charlie, and his friend George Willis Jr. (Philip Seymour Hoffman) are witnesses of an act of vandalism at school. As a result, the school’s headmaster Trask ends up blackmailing them,and threatens Charlie about his future in Harvard. Luckily, this problem gets a solution a the end of the film...

Slade unexpectdly takes Charlie to accompany him to a trip to New York,were they get the finest treats at the Waldorf Astoria, with chauffeured limousines, good food, good wine, all part of a plan. As time goes on, the bond between them becomes stronger asthey live numerous adventures. Even Slade gets the opportunity to show different sides of his bitter personality while tango dancing and his passion for women. His marvellous plan involves aloaded forty-five, he plans to blow his head as his life has became meanless to him, fact that Simms tries to avoid. The movie shows a big fight, which it is certaintly the most touchingmoment of the film and reveals how deep the film plot is.

At the end of the movie, Slade truly supports Charlie in a formal inquiry in front of the student body and the studentdisciplinary committee. His speech is extraordinary and makes the film memorable. I especially loved this movie since it shows a touching story, the importance of values and sticking to them.