Al Pacino won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in the 1992 classic movie Scent of a Woman, which also received a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards
TV Parul Sharma 12:00, 12 Apr 2025
Al Pacino's 1992 drama, Scent of a Woman, directed and produced by Martin Brest, has been a hit since its release. The film follows the story of a preparatory school student who takes on a part-time job during Thanksgiving to assist a blind, depressed, and irritable retired Army lieutenant colonel.
With an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 85 percent, the film is available for streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video and will be aired on BBC Two on Sunday, April 13. One viewer was full of praise for the film, stating: "Martin Brest's "Scent of a Woman" is a beautiful coming-of-age story. It features some of the most stunning performances, a well-written script, character development, and arcs. The story also teaches us to be good people and never let anyone take us for granted."
The film stars Al Pacino and Chris O'Donnell in lead roles, with James Rebhorn, Gabrielle Anwar, Bradley Whitford, and Philip Seymour Hoffman (credited as Philip S. Hoffman) delivering outstanding supporting performances. Al Pacino won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Scent of a Woman, which was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published at the 65th Academy Awards.
The film also won three Golden Globes for Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Motion Picture – Drama, reports the Mirror.
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The film has been heralded with critical acclaim, with one review noting: "A great character-driven movie starring two well-rounded characters, a fun performance by Pacino, deft directing, a complementary score and plenty of human interest all the way around," while another respected critic mentioned: "The good thing is that the principals and film makers make the absolute most of a conventional opportunity."
One particular opinion suggested that a trimmer version could improve the film: "Thanks to a landmark performance by Al Pacino, Scent of a Woman is an agreeably watchable film. If they'd made it half an hour shorter and re-written the ending, it could have been a great one."
Admiration for Al Pacino's role in Scent of a Woman was widespread: "Pacino's performance is that rare kind that captivates all on its own, stealing every scene away from everyone else in it," and another critic pointed out it was the film's saving grace: "Pacino, meanwhile, devours his role with such theatrical relish that Scent of a Woman remains tolerable, even at its most cloying moments.."
Al Pacino invested considerable effort into his character for the Oscar-winning portrayal of Lt. Col. Frank Slade. He undertook extensive research and interaction with clients at New York's Associated Blind to skilfully convey the experiences of a blind person.
The actor engaged with individuals who had experienced sight loss due to trauma, allowing them to chart the entire journey of their blindness for him - from the initial loss right through to grappling with depression and ultimately reaching acceptance of their situation. The Lighthouse, a New York-based group advocating for the blind, provided him with training on techniques that visually impaired people use to perform tasks such as finding and sitting in a chair, pouring drinks, and lighting a cigar.
Al Pacino's dedication resulted in widespread acclaim for his outstanding portrayal: "There was not much in the movie, except for the brilliant performance by Al Pacino. His performance took the film to another level."
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One critic noted: "Al Pacino's stunning and powerful performance could overshadow the meaning of the movie itself. However, the remarkable plot and well thought direction, camerawork and screenplay is all but enough to make this movie an absolute work of art.
"A well deserved Oscar win by Al Pacino and a good message to those with any disability about the importance of life and the wonders it can bring. This movie shows it all with impressive emotion and amazing depth. There is only one way to put this movie and that is: perfection."
