Al Pacino's 'forgotten' film is 'teaching everyone to be a better person'

Al Pacino's 1992 drama, Scent of a Woman, directed and produced by Martin Brest, has been making waves 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 boasts a star-studded cast with Al Pacino and Chris O'Donnell in lead roles, supported by James Rebhorn, Gabrielle Anwar, Bradley Whitford, and Philip Seymour Hoffman (credited as Philip S.

Hoffman). Al Pacino won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in the film, 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 scooped three Golden Globes for Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Motion Picture - Drama, reports .

The movie has garnered critical acclaim, with one review stating: "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 top critic remarked: "The good thing is that the principals and film makers make the absolute most of a conventional opportunity."

Some critics suggested the film could have been improved with a trimmer runtime: "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."

Al Pacino's portrayal in Scent of a Woman was widely praised: "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 believed his performance elevated the film: "Pacino, meanwhile, devours his role with such theatrical relish that Scent of a Woman remains tolerable, even at its most cloying moments.."

For his Oscar-winning role, the iconic Scarface actor conducted extensive research for his portrayal of Lt. Col. Frank Slade, including meeting with clients of New York's Associated Blind to authentically depict the life of a blind person.

The actor immersed himself in research, speaking to individuals who lost their sight due to trauma and traced their journey from the initial loss to battling depression and ultimately reaching acceptance of their condition. The Lighthouse, a prestigious New York-based advocacy group for the blind, taught him techniques used by vision-impaired people to perform tasks such as finding a chair, pouring liquid from a bottle, and even lighting a cigar.

Pacino's dedication to his role won over movie-goers, with praise flooding in for his portrayal: "There was not much in the movie, except for the brilliant performance by Al Pacino. His performance took the film to another level."

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."

The film also garnered acclaim for encapsulating life's importance and beauty, even amidst disability, as one review highlighted: "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."