They say when you lose one sense another gets stronger. In the case of Frank Slade, lead character in the movie Scent of a Woman, blindness gives way to a heightened sense of smell, and, with that, a greater awareness of the olfactory world.
Martin Brest’s hit 1992 drama centres on the uncanny relationship between blind Army Ranger Lieutenant Colonel Flank Slade (Al Pacino), and Charlie Simms, a wimpy prep student.
Frank is a washed up war veteran in need of some excitement in his life, who, in Charlie, finds the perfect chaperone. Charlie, his carer for the weekend, is young and naïve. A lost kid, desperate for guidance with lots to learn about the world. Together they embark on a journey of mutual self-discovery, and, along the way, offer help to one another.
Frank, among his many talents, has a remarkable nose and, at various points in the film makes references to fragrances or fragrance products. In one such scene, Frank correctly guesses the name of a female flight attendant based on the fragrance he thinks she’s wearing, much to Charlie’s shock. “Well, she’s wearin’ Floris.” Says Frank. “That’s an English cologne. But her voice is California chickie. Now, California chickie bucking for English lady – I call her Daphne.”
He then goes on to reveal an almost perfumer like appreciation for the female form: “Have you ever buried your nose in a mountain of curls…and just wanted to go to sleep forever?” he asks Charlie on their flight to New York. I know I have!
In a similar scene, Frank successfully identifies the soap used by a woman he meets at a bar for the first time. “Don’t tell me…. Ogleby Sisters Soap?” he hints. To which the lady responds: “That’s amazing. It is Ogleby Sisters Soap. My grandmother gave me three bars for Christmas.”
Other fragrant mentions in the film include Bay Rum – which Frank receives a spritz of at the barber’s – and Fleurs de Rocaille by Caron – which is plugged right at the very end of the film. There’s even a nod to the great Guerlain fragrance, Mitsouko, which Frank jokingly mispronounces, “Mitsouki”, when he says: “Mitsouki. Rhymes with nookie. Be careful.”
Complementing the classic fragrances mentioned in the film are traditional values and ideals. In Frank’s world, women are there to be enjoyed and appreciated, and the highest virtue a man can aspire to is integrity.
If retro scents and sentimental movies are up your street, then Scent of a Woman may be to your liking. Heck, it’s worth a watch for Al Pacino’s acting alone!
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