Scent of a Woman (1992)

Scent of a Woman is a 1992 drama film 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. 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.

Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell) is a student at an exclusive New England prep school. Unlike most of his peers, Charlie does not have a wealthy family. To pay for a flight home for Christmas, Charlie accepts a temporary job over Thanksgiving Weekend looking after retired Army Ranger Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade (Al Pacino), who is disagreeable, blind and an 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), which accuses him of being too close to the school trustees and humiliates him in front of the entire student body. Trask then presses Charlie and George to divulge the names of the perpetrators, whom they both know. 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 begins to question his decision. Shortly after Charlie arrives, Slade unexpectedly has Charlie accompany him on a trip from New England to New York City. Slade reserves a room at the Waldorf-Astoria. During dinner at an upscale restaurant, Slade reveals the goals of the trip: (1) to travel first-class (2) eat an agreeable meal at an exclusive restaurant (3) stay at a luxury hotel (4) visit his big brother (5) make love to a beautiful woman and then (6) "blow his brains out". Charlie is taken aback and does not know if Slade is serious. They travel to Slade's brother's home for a Thanksgiving dinner without advising the brother of the visit. Slade is an unpleasant surprise for the family, as he deliberately provokes everyone. After being mercilessly being goaded by Slade, his nephew reveals Slade was passed over for promotion to the rank of General and lost his sight by juggling hand grenades while intoxicated, causing Slade to put his nephew in a brief choke-hold. 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, which he does at high speed, until they are stopped by a policeman (Ron Eldard). Slade successfully hides his blindness; the officer issues no citation. When they return to the hotel, Slade asks Charlie to run an errand. 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 decides not to commit suicide. He later confides in Charlie, particularly about his dream of finding a woman who would love him. 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 returns to the school and joins Charlie on the auditorium stage. For his defense, Willis has enlisted the help of his wealthy father, and inadvertently divulges the names of the perpetrators. When pressed for more details, Willis passes the burden to Charlie. Although struggling with his decision, Charlie refuses to provide the required information, so Trask recommends Charlie's expulsion. Slade passionately defends Charlie, harshly criticizes the proceedings, admonishes the actual vandals' refusal to come forward and discusses his views on character and integrity. 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 and thanks him for his defense of Charlie. 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, now a much happier and more amiable man, walks towards his house and greets his niece's young children happily; the three enter the house to make hot chocolate.