Scent of a Woman (1992)
91%RT Audience Score: 92%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
6 wins & 14 nominations total
It might soar on Al Pacino’s performance more than the drama itself, but what a performance it is — big, bold, occasionally over-the-top, and finally giving the Academy pause to award the star his first Oscar.
Scent of a Woman is a classic movie that’s been around for ages, but it still holds up today. Sure, it’s a bit predictable and cheesy at times, but that’s part of its charm. Al Pacino gives an incredible performance as the gruff and irascible Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, and Chris O’Donnell is a great foil as the young and naive Charlie Simms. The scene where they tango together is iconic and unforgettable. If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming story about unlikely friendships and second chances, then Scent of a Woman is the perfect movie for you. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Pacino monologue? Hoo-ah!
Production Company(ies)
Paramount Pictures, Marvel Enterprises Marvel Studios,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Emma Willard School – 285 Pawling Avenue, Troy, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language
Year of Release
1993
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 23, 1992 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 1, 2005
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Al Pacino, Chris O’Donnell, James Rebhorn, Gabrielle Anwar, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Venture, directed by Martin Brest, written by Bo Goldman, drama, $62.1M box office, R rating, reviewed by Angie Errigo, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Variety Staff, Derek Adams, Nell Minow, Janet Maslin, Mark Jackson, Mike Massie, Richard Propes, Brian D Johnson, Ellen Dendy, Cole Smithey, Lt Col Frank Slade, Charlie Simms, Mr Trask, Donna, George Willis Jr., W.R Slade, Thanksgiving, New York, blind, retired, US army, college, Christmas, trip home, produced by Martin Brest, Surround sound, Stereo sound mix
Worldwide gross: $134,095,253
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $278,550,059
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 540
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 30,376,233
US/Canada gross: $63,095,253
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $131,064,941
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 582
US/Canada opening weekend: $357,468
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $742,552
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,313
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $31,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $64,394,911
Production budget ranking: 642
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $34,676,659
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $179,478,489
ROI to date (est.): 181%
ROI ranking: 680
Chris O’Donnell – Charlie Simms
James Rebhorn – Mr. Trask
Gabrielle Anwar – Donna
Philip Seymour Hoffman – George Willis, Jr.
Richard Venture – W.R. Slade
Director(s)
Martin Brest
Writer(s)
Bo Goldman
Producer(s)
Martin Brest
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
6 wins & 14 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (46) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (5)
While fairly predictable and unoriginal, it is nevertheless entertaining.
May 27, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Angie Errigo
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
An irascible bully who proves to have a heart of gold, Pacino’s character seems manufactured by a computer programmed with box-office grosses.
May 27, 2011
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Scent of a Woman indulgently stretches a modest conceit well past the breaking point.
May 21, 2008
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Corny and heart-warming, with O’Donnell proving almost a match for the master.
February 9, 2006
Derek Adams
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Brilliant performances, spotty script, poor ending.
July 16, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
Nell Minow
Movie Mom
TOP CRITIC
The good thing is that the principals and film makers make the absolute most of a conventional opportunity.
May 20, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/5
Janet Maslin
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
There’s nothing as convincing as an Army vet talking to privileged prep school boys about boys in battle getting legs blown off, and how, when the bullets fly downrange, some boys run and some stand their ground. Every high schooler needs to see it.
September 29, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Jackson
Epoch Times
Pacino’s performance is that rare kind that captivates all on its own, stealing every scene away from everyone else in it.
December 7, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
A film of great power.
September 21, 2020 | Rating: 3.0/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
Pacino, meanwhile, devours his role with such theatrical relish that Scent of a Woman remains tolerable, even at its most cloying moments…
October 15, 2019
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine
Pacino’s intense performance best for older teens.
January 1, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Ellen Dendy
Common Sense Media
September 29, 2007 | Rating: 3/5
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com…
Plot
Frank is a retired Lt. Col. in the US Army. He’s blind and impossible to get along with. Charlie is at school and is looking forward to going to university; to help pay for a trip home for Christmas, he agrees to look after Frank over Thanksgiving. Frank’s niece says this will be easy money, but she didn’t reckon on Frank spending his Thanksgiving in New York.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Al Pacino won his first Academy Award for his performance in Scent of a Woman.
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