Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #80249 in DVD
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: German, English, French, Spanish, Polish, Czech
• Subtitled in: German, English, French, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish, Portuguese

Amazon.co.uk Review
Hoo-ah! After seven Oscar nominations for his outstanding work in films such as The Godfather, Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon, it's ironic that Al Pacino finally won the Oscar for his grandstanding lead performance in this 1992 crowd pleaser. As the blind, blunt, and ultimately benevolent retired Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, Pacino is both hammy and compelling, simultaneously subtle and grandly over-the-top when defending his new assistant and prep school student Charlie (Chris O'Donnell) at a disciplinary hearing. While the subplot involving Charlie's prep-school crisis plays like a sequel to Dead Poets Society, Pacino's adventurous escapades in New York City provide comic relief, rich character development, and a memorable supporting role for Gabrielle Anwar as the young woman who accepts the colonel's invitation to dance the tango. Scent of a Woman is a remake of the 1972 Italian film Profumo di donna. In addition to Pacino's award, Scent of Woman garnered Oscar nominations for director Martin Brest and for screenwriter Bo Goldman. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Scent Of A Woman
I seriously doubt whether there has been a more deserving Oscar performance from a leading actor. Pacino is simply stunning in this virtuoso performance, he dominates the film from start to finish and the act is nothing short of magnificent. Playing retired Army Lt Col Frank Slade, Pacino takes the viewer through a whole range of emotions and feelings, from the dark black humour to tragic despondency; from standing ovation rooting to fatherly love it really does have it all.

Don't get me wrong, the film isn't all about Pacino, a young Chris O'Donnell puts on a great turn as the naive schoolboy and for all of Pacino's dominance of centre stage it's great credit to O'Donnell that his performance also shines.

Both characters are ably supported by a whole host of extras, like O'Donnell's school colleagues who play the rich spoilt arrogant role fantastically well, Gabrielle Anwar as the infamous tango partner who is grace and elegant personified, Leonard Gaines as the Ferrari salesman and I could go on.

The actual film composition is just scene after scene of great drama and emotion and you could pick any one of a couple of dozen of classic moments , just pick your favourite from these perfect instances; Franks and Charles's first meeting, the airplane scene, the Thanksgiving dinner, the school disciplinary council, the suicide attempt and the Ferrari test drive. I could mention several others that are just as good, there really isn't a weak moment in the whole film.

A must for any film fan.

Hoo-hah!
AT last Al Pacino got the Oscar he deserved, and for what is probably his finest performance ever. Yes, in my opinion his performance in Scent of a Woman beats those in Scarface, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico and even the Godfather Trilogy. This is one of my favourite films of all time, if not my favourite.

Pacino plays a blind retired colnoel, who is miserable, mean, self-centered. When Charlie (Chris O' Donnel is assigned to look after him for Thanksgiving weekend, Pacino takes him to New York, for 'one last tour of the battlefield'. The film is heartwarming, heart braking and hilarious all at the same time (its difficult to believe without seeing the film), as Pacino meets old relatives (who are not too pleased to see him), lives the high life and teaches Charlie about life, booze and women.

The film is basically a two-man story of love and friendship; and is definitely one of the films of the twentieth century. The way it mixes comedy and tragedy is perfect, and strangely there were many moments in the films when you want to burst out laughing, despite feeling sad. Buy it, watch it, love it!

Powerful
One of those films that I wish I could watch again as if for the first time. If you are a Pacino fan in the slightest then this is a 'must see' for you!

The 'Tango' scene is definitely one of my all time favourite movie moments, Gabriel Anwar is just stunning!