“Scent of a Woman”

After multiple nominations, Al Pacino won his first Oscar for Best Actor in “Scent of a Woman” (1992). The film is mainly told from the point of view of prep school student, Charlie Simms (Chris O’Donnell).

Simms earned a full ride scholarship to an elite New England school while his friends ride on their father’s shoulders. While they retreat to cabins and lodges for the Thanksgiving break, Charlie decides to work over the break, answering an ad for a family requesting a housekeeper/caretaker of an infirmed family member. His charge is to care for Lt. Col. Frank Slade (Pacino), a former military man whose accidental blindness has left him living in the shed of his niece. After the family leaves, Frank drags Charlie to New York where he informs Charlie that he intends to kill himself.

Slade is a complex character: one minute he’s charming with his zest for life and appreciation of the finer things, then the next minute he’s a pitiful shell of the colonel he once was. His desperate attempt at final happiness before ending his life is sad and pathetic.

While “Scent of a Woman” received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay, Pacino’s performance carries the film. Many considered his Oscar win to have been a long time coming. Considering his roles in films like “Dog Day Afternoon” and “The Godfather I and II”, his fans have a point. However, too much emphasis on these losses takes away from the brilliance he brings to a terrific performance.