SCENT OF A WOMAN

US, 1992, 157 minutes, Colour.
Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell, Gabrielle Anwar.
Directed by Martin Brest.

Scent of a Woman is based on Dino Risi's film with Vittorio Gassmann in the central role. Writer Bo Goldman has obviously been impressed by Dead Poets Society and has written a story of a privileged school around the original story which focused on an irascible blind colonel who goes on a last spree aided by a young man from the school.

Nominated for Oscars as best film, best director, screenplay, actor (Al Pacino), supporting actor (Chris O'Donnell), the film is very long. But Al Pacino, vigorous and sharp-tongued as the colonel, keeps our attention. Chris O'Donnell as the reserved and principled young man guiding the colonel is impressive.

The film is episodic as the two live the high life in New York, but the final confrontation between them shows how strong is the power of friendship. The plot development is predictable, especially the resolution of the young man's problems at his school. However, actors and mood carry the audience with them.

1. Awards and nominations? The quality of the film?

2. The influence of the Italian original? Plot and characters? The influence of Dead Poets Society and the preparatory school plot?

3. The New England setting, the school, homes? The contrast with New York City, the Waldorf-Astoria?, the homes in the suburbs? The range of songs, musical score?

4. The title, the focus, Frank and his relationship with women?

5. The opening with the school, Harry and the young students, their arrogance? George and his attitudes? The discussions about holidays and wealth? Charlie and his jobs, reading the noticeboard, working in the library? His relationship with Harry and his friends? Distance? George and Charlie witnessing the putting up of the balloon? The balloon bursting on the headmaster and his car? The interrogations, the headmaster and his bribe of a scholarship for Charlie? The setting up of Charlie's dilemma about giving information to the headmaster, keeping his counsel?

6. Charlie and his going to visit the Rossi family (and Frank's comment that they were the Flintstones)? The introduction to Mrs Rossi, the interview with Frank, his harshness, the interrogation, the prodding at Charlie's self-esteem, mocking him, commenting about his skin? Charlie calling him Sir? Charlie's leaving, with Mrs Rossi, his being cajoled into staying?

7. Al Pacino as Frank, the background of his story, Lyndon Johnson, blindness? In his room, his harsh attitudes? Drinking? Coping with his blindness, his acute sense of smell - and his comments on aromas, on the scents of women? Hostile attitudes towards Charlie? Army treatment? Arrogant - yet the audience knowing that the two will become friends?

8. The departure of the family to visit relatives? Frank getting ready for the trip to New York, getting dressed, not wanting Charlie to touch him? Forcing Charlie to New York, the flight and the scent of the hostess, his drinking? New York, the Waldorf-Astoria?, the limousine? The talk with Charlie? The growing understanding between the two? Frank taking an interest in Charlie's problem at school? The meal, the restaurant, costs?

9. Frank's plan, enjoying the weekend in New York City, the plan to kill himself? His motivation? Telling the plan to Charlie and Charlie's reaction? The gun and the bullets and Charlie taking them? Sleeping and waking, the clothes and the new outfits, the talk between the two, the advice to Charlie? The Thanksgiving dinner with his brother? Going to the family, intruding, getting the names wrong, Frank's comments, dominating the meal? His telling stories? Randy and his wife, Randy and his anger with Frank, the sexual innuendo? Telling the true story about Frank's accident? The family's response, Frank's apology to his brother, the reaction of the others? The effect on Frank of the visit? The effect on Charlie, observing, trying to intervene?

10. The restaurant, the encounter with Donna, the charm, the discussion about the tango, Frank and Donna dancing the tango? Charlie's delight? Donna's boyfriend and the friendly discussion?

11. Frank and his plan to get a call-girl? Relying on Manny? The role of the driver in New York City? Going to the girl, the evening with her? The night, the depression setting in? Charlie being inventive as to what they could do, hiring the car, the Ferrari salesman and Frank making him laugh? Charlie driving? Frank driving blindly? The police officer, Frank's performance with him? The return to the hotel?

12. The focus on Charlie and his dilemma at school, the phone calls to George, George's advice? George going home, with his father? The continued dilemma?

13. The build-up to Frank's wanting to kill himself, sending Charlie to buy the tablets? Charlie realising and returning? Charlie's pleas, the argument? The danger with the gun, the threats? The emotional violence? Charlie and his being willing to die, the courage, Frank's change of heart? The aftermath of the episode?

14. The return to Massachusetts, driving back with Manny, the peace and calm? Delivering Frank at home - and his friendliness with his niece and nephew, in contrast with his behaviour at the beginning? Charlie and his going back to the school for the hearing?

15. The headmaster, the critical attitudes of the boys, Harry and his subservience? The Mercedes, the prank, the humiliation of the headmaster? His offering the bribe? His ethos, the ethos of the school? The disciplinary committee? The drama of the hearing? His speech, the pressure on George to dob in his friends, the pressure on Charlie? The reaction of the boys?

16. Frank and his arrival, sitting with Charlie, his long speech, his pride in youth and his focus on Charlie and the hope for the future? The reality of snitching? Of bribes? Of personal integrity? His praise of Charlie as a young man of principle and integrity?

17. The portrayal of the boys, their arrogance? George, the dominance of his father? The role of the teachers, the disciplinary committee, their decision? The penalty for the boys?

18. The portrait of Frank's family, at home, The Flintstones, their concern for Frank? New York City, his brother, the response to Frank, the rest of the family, Frank's intrusion, hurtful behaviour?

19. The policeman, his interrogation and letting Frank off? The Ferrari salesman? The encounter with Michael and Donna? The woman measuring Charlie and Frank for their clothes?

20. Themes of friendship and integrity, bridging the generation gap?