Scent of a Woman stinks.

| May 9, 2023

As the irascible, drunken Frank Slade, Al Pacino is convincingly obnoxious and loutish, but the character doesn't grow: this is a lout with, underneath it all, the heart of a lout.

| Original Score: 1/4 | Jan 11, 2023

There's nothing as convincing as an Army vet talking to privileged prep school boys about boys in battle getting legs blown off, and how, when the bullets fly downrange, some boys run and some stand their ground. Every high schooler needs to see it.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 29, 2021

Pacino's performance is that rare kind that captivates all on its own, stealing every scene away from everyone else in it.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Dec 7, 2020

A film of great power.

| Original Score: 3.0/4.0 | Sep 21, 2020

Pacino, meanwhile, devours his role with such theatrical relish that Scent of a Woman remains tolerable, even at its most cloying moments...

| Oct 15, 2019

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.

| Original Score: 3/4 | May 27, 2011

Pacino manages to shift smoothly from comedy to pathos, making the antipathetic character seem fascinating.

| May 27, 2011

While fairly predictable and unoriginal, it is nevertheless entertaining.

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 27, 2011

An irascible bully who proves to have a heart of gold, Pacino's character seems manufactured by a computer programmed with box-office grosses.

| May 27, 2011

Pacino's intense performance best for older teens.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 1, 2011

Scent of a Woman indulgently stretches a modest conceit well past the breaking point.

| May 21, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 29, 2007

The guiding principle of Al Pacino's flamboyant performance (for which he finally received the Oscar) is that of revelation: Every scene discloses another facet of his mysterious, multi-shaded character.

| Original Score: B | Nov 29, 2006

Corny and heart-warming, with O'Donnell proving almost a match for the master.

| Feb 9, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 28, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 6, 2005

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.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Mar 5, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 6, 2005

Al Pacino got his ribbing for 'hoo-ahhh!'ing his way through Scent of a Woman, but underneath the scenery chewing, there's a sweet and watchable film to be seen.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 15, 2005