Scent of a Woman (1992)
Kernel Score: 86% · 3,836 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama
Released: 1992-12-23
Runtime: 156 minutes
Is Scent of a Woman worth watching?
Must-watch. A blind, cranky retired colonel takes a prep-school student on a weekend in New York. It runs long, but Al Pacino's performance and the tango scene make it a rewarding, often funny character drama.
Watch it if you
- like character-led dramas with a big central performance
- enjoy a grumpy mentor and young student pairing
- don't mind a long, talky film
Skip it if you
- want a tight plot
- are put off by Pacino's loud, theatrical style
Best for: Evening drama night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Scent of a Woman
- Free with ads: YouTube Free
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Charlie Simms is a student at a private preparatory school who comes from a poor family. To earn the money for his flight home to Gresham, Oregon for Christmas, Charlie takes a job over Thanksgiving looking after retired U.S. Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, a cantankerous middle-aged man who lives with his niece and her family.
Scent of a Woman parents' guide: ages 14+
Parents need to know that Scent of a Woman is an R-rated drama with a suicidal, blind, cantankerous veteran and a poor student, featuring strong language and mature themes.
- Language: Moderate — R rating and the Colonel's cantankerous character suggest frequent strong profanity.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — The retired colonel is depicted as heavy-drinking, consistent with the R rating and character description.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Scent of a Woman
If you liked Scent of a Woman, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Dead Poets Society (1989) — 91%: A teacher changes how young men see life, with strong emotion.
- Gran Torino (2008) — 89%: A gruff older man softens through an unlikely friendship.
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994) — 100%: Friendship and hope in hard places, beautifully told.
- Forrest Gump (1994) — 97%: A warm, character-driven journey with humour and heart.
- 12 Angry Men (1957) — 96%: Dialogue-driven drama about character and conscience.
- The Godfather (1972) — 96%: Pacino in another big, commanding performance in a classic drama.
Director
Cast
- Al Pacino as Lt. Col. 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
- Ron Eldard as Officer Gore
- Rochelle Oliver as Gretchen
- Margaret Eginton as Gail
Scent of a Woman FAQ
Is Scent of a Woman worth watching?
Must-watch. A blind, cranky retired colonel takes a prep-school student on a weekend in New York. It runs long, but Al Pacino's performance and the tango scene make it a rewarding, often funny character drama.
Where can I watch Scent of a Woman?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Scent of a Woman OK for kids?
Scent of a Woman is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 14+. Parents need to know that Scent of a Woman is an R-rated drama with a suicidal, blind, cantankerous veteran and a poor student, featuring strong language and mature themes.
What movies are like Scent of a Woman?
If you liked Scent of a Woman, try Dead Poets Society, Gran Torino, The Shawshank Redemption and Forrest Gump.