Comments on: The Ethics of Scent of a Woman http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/ Overthinking It subjects the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:53:58 +0000 hourly 1 By: marina http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/#comment-6585 marina Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:29:03 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4025#comment-6585 I love the speech; whoever wrote it is a genius. I love Mr Pacino's interpretation; it's flawless. SPEECH + INTERPRETATION = shivers down my spine every time I watch it, and truly a desire to be a better man. I love the speech; whoever wrote it is a genius.
I love Mr Pacino’s interpretation; it’s flawless.
SPEECH + INTERPRETATION = shivers down my spine every time I watch it, and truly a desire to be a better man.

]]> By: “The Ethics of Scent of a Woman” Article « Bowlby Speaks… http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/#comment-6384 “The Ethics of Scent of a Woman” Article « Bowlby Speaks… Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:10:00 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4025#comment-6384 [...] one comment Excellent article here by some guy called Matthew Belinkie. Scent of a Woman is a bit of a joke as a ’serious [...] [...] one comment Excellent article here by some guy called Matthew Belinkie. Scent of a Woman is a bit of a joke as a ’serious [...]

]]> By: Gordon http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/#comment-5991 Gordon Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:36:56 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4025#comment-5991 Hi: Thanks for that interesting article. Moving to some of the comments. To all those who have seen this movie recently and were dissapointed, let's keep in mind it is over 16 years old; to say that doesn't make a difference rings true only if you can leave your bias at the door before viewing. His newer films may appear duller to some (and I too fall victim to this), but why penalize him if he is doing his job? If you already go in watching the movie hating the guy there is no question you will be annoyed. The notion of expecting to be entertained may only go so far. Perhaps,we too have somewhat of a responsibiltiy to at least keep the "vessel" open before sitting in front of the screen? At any rate, the writing was fantastic, and as far as Pacino doing his job by taking the script and turning it into and entertaining performance, in my view, few moviegoers would disagree he failed to do so. G.S. Hi:

Thanks for that interesting article.

Moving to some of the comments. To all those who have seen this movie recently and were dissapointed, let’s keep in mind it is over 16 years old; to say that doesn’t make a difference rings true only if you can leave your bias at the door before viewing. His newer films may appear duller to some (and I too fall victim to this), but why penalize him if he is doing his job? If you already go in watching the movie hating the guy there is no question you will be annoyed. The notion of expecting to be entertained may only go so far. Perhaps,we too have somewhat of a responsibiltiy to at least keep the “vessel” open before sitting in front of the screen?

At any rate, the writing was fantastic, and as far as Pacino doing his job by taking the script and turning it into and entertaining performance, in my view, few moviegoers would disagree he failed to do so.

G.S.

]]> By: deDude http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/#comment-5095 deDude Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:30:57 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4025#comment-5095 Yep, I have a problem too with the purported "hard" choice. I think it is most logical that he is reacting to peer pressure, if he is a regular kid. If he is somewhat grown up and intelligent he would have a problem with supporting a failed system as you say. Although utilitarianism wouldn't enter into his mind, I think. Ponder; 4 patients enter the emergency ward at a hospital. One has failing kidneys, the other has COPD(Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), the third congenital end-stage heart failure and the fourth patient has a broken leg. Utilitarianism for greatest happiness makes the treatment choices easy. We slaughter the broken leg guy to give kidneys, heart and lungs to the other patients. This is somewhat extreme as a basis for Charlies ethics, I believe. I guess he is basically an easily pushed around kid, falling for peer pressure. This in turn leads to Slade being untrue to his supposed ideals and ethics...making me wonder if untruth and dishonesty to one's character's ideals then is the basis for nomination for an oscar? Yep, I have a problem too with the purported “hard” choice.

I think it is most logical that he is reacting to peer pressure, if he is a regular kid.
If he is somewhat grown up and intelligent he would have a problem with supporting a failed system as you say. Although utilitarianism wouldn’t enter into his mind, I think.

Ponder; 4 patients enter the emergency ward at a hospital. One has failing kidneys, the other has COPD(Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), the third congenital end-stage heart failure and the fourth patient has a broken leg. Utilitarianism for greatest happiness makes the treatment choices easy. We slaughter the broken leg guy to give kidneys, heart and lungs to the other patients.

This is somewhat extreme as a basis for Charlies ethics, I believe. I guess he is basically an easily pushed around kid, falling for peer pressure.
This in turn leads to Slade being untrue to his supposed ideals and ethics…making me wonder if untruth and dishonesty to one’s character’s ideals then is the basis for nomination for an oscar?

]]> By: The Ethics of Scent of a Woman (Link) « Mark’s Blog http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/#comment-4811 The Ethics of Scent of a Woman (Link) « Mark’s Blog Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:38:35 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4025#comment-4811 [...] Posted in Films, Internet stuff by yangchu on January 12th, 2009 Excellent article here by some guy called Matthew Belinkie. Scent of a Woman is a bit of a joke as a ’serious [...] [...] Posted in Films, Internet stuff by yangchu on January 12th, 2009 Excellent article here by some guy called Matthew Belinkie. Scent of a Woman is a bit of a joke as a ’serious [...]

]]> By: Joel http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/#comment-4765 Joel Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:50:50 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4025#comment-4765 How can people speak bad about Pacino and this film? I've seen almost every Pacino film out there and I honestly think that Scent of a Woman was his finest performance. You're forgetting Colonel Slade was played by the same guy who portrayed Michael Corleone, that's versitily! I also would've ratted out three rich assholes for admission into Harvard. Sure the Headmaster was a total prick, but you can't let your opinion of someone get in the way of justice. Hoo-hah! How can people speak bad about Pacino and this film? I’ve seen almost every Pacino film out there and I honestly think that Scent of a Woman was his finest performance. You’re forgetting Colonel Slade was played by the same guy who portrayed Michael Corleone, that’s versitily!

I also would’ve ratted out three rich assholes for admission into Harvard. Sure the Headmaster was a total prick, but you can’t let your opinion of someone get in the way of justice. Hoo-hah!

]]> By: Gab http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/#comment-4525 Gab Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:04:46 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4025#comment-4525 Ah, well, Lori, the Academy may argue it's QUITE ethical, so it depends on whose ethics you're talking about. All of their politicking makes it difficult for people to get the awards they deserve the year they deserve them, so the Academy gives a lot of make-up (so to speak) ones out, and it isn't hard to swallow this is *really* why Pacino won for _Scent of a Woman_. Yeah, I think it's pretty awful, too, but it fits the ethics of the Academy... Ah, well, Lori, the Academy may argue it’s QUITE ethical, so it depends on whose ethics you’re talking about. All of their politicking makes it difficult for people to get the awards they deserve the year they deserve them, so the Academy gives a lot of make-up (so to speak) ones out, and it isn’t hard to swallow this is *really* why Pacino won for _Scent of a Woman_. Yeah, I think it’s pretty awful, too, but it fits the ethics of the Academy…

]]> By: lori http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/#comment-4508 lori Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:07:37 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4025#comment-4508 The biggest ethical problem with this film is how Al Pacino got an Oscar for this overacted piece of crap. The biggest ethical problem with this film is how Al Pacino got an Oscar for this overacted piece of crap.

]]> By: Gab http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/#comment-4504 Gab Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:42:58 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4025#comment-4504 Whoa, Milk, do you have to use the C-word? I come from a modest background, too, and I don't think I would have taken the bribe. I try to get my foot in the door whenever possible, but I do it honestly and fairly. And I don't believe in handouts: I'd want to get into Harvard on my own, if Harvard was even a goal of mine. Which it isn't, not remotely- I don't want to be around those ::insert your choice explative here:: anyway, which is what would happen if I did go there. Oh sure, I went to college and plan to do graduate level work, too, but I want to avoid places like that to avoid PEOPLE like that. That's where you'd lose, you'd be around the exact kind of person you hate again. Whoa, Milk, do you have to use the C-word?

I come from a modest background, too, and I don’t think I would have taken the bribe. I try to get my foot in the door whenever possible, but I do it honestly and fairly. And I don’t believe in handouts: I’d want to get into Harvard on my own, if Harvard was even a goal of mine. Which it isn’t, not remotely- I don’t want to be around those ::insert your choice explative here:: anyway, which is what would happen if I did go there. Oh sure, I went to college and plan to do graduate level work, too, but I want to avoid places like that to avoid PEOPLE like that. That’s where you’d lose, you’d be around the exact kind of person you hate again.

]]> By: Milk http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/01/08/the-ethics-of-scent-of-a-woman/#comment-4503 Milk Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:28:29 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4025#comment-4503 I saw this movie for the first time recently and I pretty much disliked it. Al Pacino's acting is a joke already at this point in his career and his character is a caricature. Everytime he went "hooha" I just wanted to punch him. Actually it might have been the definite turning point when he finalized his transformation into just being Al Pacino, as opposed to an actor (though I always liked to think that really happenned in Scarface). This is not good acting by any means. It seems like the academy awards were prescient at this point and knew if they didn't give him an oscar now then he would never get one. And personally I couldn't help thinking all the way through that i'd DEFINITELY rat out those rich assholes to get into harvard and I like to believe most people, especially from a modest background like Charlie is, would take the bride. I would have without hesitation. Getting these rich cunts expelled and a free ticket to harvard? Where do I lose? No moral dilemma, because getting these guys expelled IS the right thing to do. I saw this movie for the first time recently and I pretty much disliked it. Al Pacino’s acting is a joke already at this point in his career and his character is a caricature. Everytime he went “hooha” I just wanted to punch him. Actually it might have been the definite turning point when he finalized his transformation into just being Al Pacino, as opposed to an actor (though I always liked to think that really happenned in Scarface). This is not good acting by any means. It seems like the academy awards were prescient at this point and knew if they didn’t give him an oscar now then he would never get one. And personally I couldn’t help thinking all the way through that i’d DEFINITELY rat out those rich assholes to get into harvard and I like to believe most people, especially from a modest background like Charlie is, would take the bride. I would have without hesitation. Getting these rich cunts expelled and a free ticket to harvard? Where do I lose? No moral dilemma, because getting these guys expelled IS the right thing to do.

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