Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Bergorks If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

ahmed_uwk-30188 It's really an awesome film and for me is the best

kosmasp Al Pacino does not even need all the senses to make us feel great. Seriously though while the movie itself might have been rated an 7 or 8, Pacino makes it really worth while. And while a young Phillip Seymour Hoffman is also a sight to be seen (I did imagine him playing the second lead a couple of times and it might have elevated this movie too), it's Chris O'Donell and his babyface and innocence we get served here.And his performance is good too, playing the gullible pupil to Als mentor and teacher. But of course there is so much more to it. Even if the life lesson might feel a bit too "preachy" and even if some reactions by Chris may not be as subtle as you wish they were, this really is gripping and when Al starts to talk .. every bet is off. This could be used as masterclass in acting, not that it's something new when it comes to Al. There is some swearing (if you mind) and there are also some flaws - which can be overlooked easily in the presence of greatness ...

generationofswine This movie came out when I was 12 I fell in love with it from the moment my mom and dad took me to see in on the big screen. That's right parents, look back to how the kids in the '80s were raised...if you expose children to films like this, they WILL understand and come to enjoy them. Everything doesn't have to be childish and stupid and ADHD, children will understand things with a bit of a head on it.Rant aside, what the heck happened here? Chris O'Donnell can act. He can hold his ground against old Al in one of his most celebrated roles. Why isn't he getting better roles? He deserves them, he's got talent.And he's kind of a local boy so...I have to support him. Winnetka is close enough and it's nice to see people from the neighborhood and around the neighborhood make it big.Moving on....Folks argue about Al's role, but he was brilliant. You even got to hear him scream and yell in an angry diatribe at the end of the flick and, regardless of his talent...that IS what you want to see when you shell out for one of his movies.He can do the old bard...but you want to see him do the angry man.And then, moving beyond this....it is beautiful. That is the only word to describe it. It is beautiful and fulfilling and you walk away totally satisfied.You are satisfied with this movie. Satiated. Full. Honestly, if you are looking for more than that in a movie you don't understand what movies are all about.

marijabanusic This movie is all about the acting and the immerse message by the end. Al Pacino delivers an Academy Award winning performance without exception and captures us as his character Lt. Colonel Frank Slade. Al Pacino went lengths to prove his 'blindness' to us (taught by the infamous Lee Strasberg), by being helped by a school to prep, was in character off screen and by not allowing his eyes to focus on anything. While nursing his self-pity and arrogance with alcohol, Slade finds new meaning (as he is blind and was 'passed over for promotion' during his time in the military) in the young Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell) who becomes his caretaker during the weekends. We are compelled under the mean, angry and sarcastic man Slade is and we sense that somehow he's always been like that, but that it will change by the interaction and creation of friendship with Charles. Causing the blindness by his own stupidity, yet there's no pity you feel for him as he's abrasive and seeks every possible way to insult you. However, two traits motivate us to like him, his romantic side and his humor. And the compassion grows.Charlie is the shy, hardworking poor young man that we relate to. Coming from West, he's studying at the exclusive local prep school on a scholarship with no money to spare and enjoys watching over Slade for a dollar or two. What is captivating is the way Slade wants him under his wings to educate Charlie through his experiences. The way Slade tells Charlie that women are God's greatest creation, the dancing scene with Donna (Gabrielle Anwar) tells us how much he misses and how he realized what he's lost being a soldier. Finally he doesn't seem as negative and destructive, he seems happy as he dances gracefully with Donna. And gradually through the movie, we learn and grow fond of Slade's state and find compassion for his attitude and faults. Bo Goldman, who wrote the screenplay, is more interested in conveying an active chemistry between the actors, than focusing on the plot. The collaboration between Slade and Charlie is immaculate. The problem occurring is when Charlie witnesses three of his fellow students pulling a prank that damaged the headmasters Jaguar. But Charlie didn't want to be the snitch everyone loathes, so he remain silenced, even though the consequence is being expelled from the school. This is where one of the greatest speeches in movie history enters the picture (the relativity of it is another story) when Slade sees the great, potential, young man Charles is for not ratting out his 'friends' while the other accused one is hiding behind 'big daddy's pocket'. To stand up for what's right and moral, through his speech, Slade reminisces about his past while explaining that having integrity and courage is what creates leaders. Everything he said in that speech is accurate. Inspirational. Meaningful.If it was anyone else playing the character Al Pacino plays, I'm confident it wouldn't have the same weight on the speech. By showing his anger, by presenting the facts, by conveying the message to the disciplinary commitment successfully, Al Pacino reached his peak of acting and had us all mistaken by the character. The versatility of Slade's character and strong performance of Al Pacino is what makes this movie a great movie, even though the plot was rather shallow. Scent of a Woman is an exceptional movie, especially for young minds.