“Scent of a Woman” Al Pacino embodies life lessons

“Keep dancing even if your legs get tangled.”

Now, I have written about Al Pacino's performance, but just because the actor's performance is great does not make it an unforgettable movie. Great works need a theme. The person who embodies this theme in this film is Al Pacino himself. In other words, it is the greatness of his acting that gives strength to the theme of this work.

The film begins with Charlie, a struggling student, taking on a part-time job caring for Frank Slade, a difficult, blind veteran. However, this kind-hearted Charlie has a problem. He witnesses a classmate commit a prank on the principal's beloved car, and the principal offers him a deal: if he reveals the culprit's name, he will be recommended to Harvard University. His classmates are so boring that he doesn't even want to call them friends, and just by revealing their misdeeds he can get into a prestigious university. But Charlie doesn't do that. This is not to protect his classmates, but because accepting the deal is an act of selling his soul and hurting his own dignity. Then, in such a clouded state of mind, Charlie is taken to New York by a lieutenant colonel, somewhat forcibly.

"Scent of Woman/Scent of Dreams" (C) 1992 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

At the time of this "departure," the lieutenant colonel tells Charlie, "This is the beginning of your life education." No matter how good your grades are, you can't learn about life just by sitting at a desk. This means that it is important to go out, meet people, talk, think, and take action. But the same goes for the lieutenant colonel. He is a man who is better described as ``solitary'' than ``solitary,'' but he is still alone. If left as is, it will eventually grow old and decay. There must be something to be learned by coming into contact with young souls. This story is a story of the growth of people who are far apart in age. People can learn anytime and anywhere.

Every scene in this film is impressive, but there is one scene that is considered a "famous scene." It's a scene where a lieutenant colonel and a young woman (Gabrielle Anwar) dance tango. At this point, the lieutenant says a line that is even more memorable for us, the audience, than the scene itself. It is called ``Keep dancing even if your legs get tangled,'' which describes his thoughts on what to do if you fail while dancing the tango. This will also be given to Charlie, who is lost in "life". Life is like a tango. Even if my legs get tangled, I have no choice but to keep dancing. And that applies to everyone, no matter how old you are or where you are.

Text: Yushu Orita

Writer. Born in 1990. The main areas of coverage include movies, theater, actors, literature, fashion, and bars. In addition to contributing to numerous movie theater pamphlets, he also serves as MC on the movie talk show ``Katsuben Cinema Club.'' My favorite directors are Yasuzo Masumura and Douglas Sirk.

Watch now

View work information

"Scent of Woman/Scent of Dreams"

Blu-ray: 2,075 yen (tax included)

DVD: 1,571 yen (tax included)

Publisher: NBCUniversal Entertainment

(C) 1992 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.