Scent Of A Woman

In 1992, Martin Brest directed a movie with Al Pacino called "Scent of a Woman". Al Pacino earned an Academy Award for best actor for his brilliant performance of his role as a blind alcoholic retired Army Ranger Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade and his unlikely friendship with a prep school student, Charlie Simms, played by a very young Chris O'Donnell ( Hawaii- Five - O ). Alongside Al Pacino and Chris O"Donnell play a very young Gabrielle Anwar ( Burn Notice ), and an equally young, equally effective  Philip Seymour Hoffmann. The film focuses on how the irascible retired Colonel finds a forgotten passion for integrity in order to save Charlie Simms from expulsion at the hands of a cowardly prank by fellow prep students. Al Pacino is memorable as ever as he relaxes in to a friendship with Charlie, and shares with him his passion for the good things in life, not the least of which are beautiful women. Although blind , the Colonel 's other senses are very keen, and his ability to name the perfume on a woman sitting close by is both touching and intriguing. The scene where Al Pacino teaches a demure blushing teenage Gabrielle Anwar how to tango at the swanky Waldorf Astoria, is sizzling with sensuality and heat. Eventually, the Colonel who initually had advised Charlie to squeal on his cowardly fellow students, comes to an eloquent bold defense of him in front of the entire student body, and the ludicrous charges are dropped. The decision to come to Charlie's assistance was probably triggered by how impressed the Colonel was at Charlie's resolute and fearless resolve to keep the Colonel from committing suicide, when in a drunken stupor. At the end of the movie , it is intimated that the Colonel will befriend and court a gorgeous redhead faculty member of the prep school, thereby fulfilling his longing for a steady realtionship with a woman. The movie to me is brilliant because of Al Pacino's flawless portrayal of Colonel Frank Slade, who stirs the longing in all of us for passion despite the very ordinary struggles of daily life. It is a fantastic movie, a reaffirmation of life, character, integrity, and yes, love.