Eighteen years before Al Pacino took the Best Actor Oscar as Colonel Frank Slade, Vittorio Gassman won Best Actor honors at Cannes portraying the same character in PROFUMO DI DONNA. In this, the original version, a naive army private is assigned to assist a blinded, embittered ex-army captain on his journey from Turin to Naples. The captain is rude and eccentric, prone to say and do the unexpected. Their hilarious yet heartrending misadventures with prostitutes, clerics and others they encounter along the way bring these odd companions to a deeper understanding of each other and their own shortcomings. In Color, 99 minutes, Rated R, Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1), Italian with Optional English Subtitles, Includes Original Italian Theatrical Trailer.
Product details
Aspect Ratio
:
1.85:1
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer
:
No
MPAA rating
:
R (Restricted)
Product Dimensions
:
0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.72 ounces
Item model number
:
HEN4119DVD
Director
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Dino Risi
Media Format
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Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, NTSC
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Gassman's performance is unforgettable.A masterpiece of the Italian cinema.Not to be confused with Al Pacino's movie bearing the same title but only a good copy.
I liked the American Version better. In the Italian version, the captain finally overcomes his pride and admits to the woman he loves that he needs her. That was good, but seemed to work on only one level. In the American version, the colonel not only chooses life, but he redeems himself by saving Charlie. And it is implied that he had begun a relationship with one of Charlie's teachers that could lead to the thing that the colonel had always dreamed of but never felt that he could attain: the love of a good woman. In both versions, the guy gets the girl, but I felt the American version was superior. There was more of a relationship between the characters that the Italian version lacked.
If you only viewed the American derivative of this film, you have not experienced 'Scent of a Woman.' Vittorio Gassman is mesmerizing ~ what a gifted actor! A revealing tour through Italy, sometimes seedy. A very human film.
Profumo di Donna might seem like a cheesy Italian romance and it does have its overly melodramatic moments, but due to the subtle acting of Gassman and the great chemistry between Gassman and Momo the movie has a well-balanced narration. It cannot simply be reduced to sex jokes and lewdness, although Fausto's jokes sometimes are rather crude. The writing is spot on and the message of a broken old army captain is fantastically presented against the backdrop of some of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Overall 7/10
So much better than the American remake, 'Scent of a Woman.' It must be one of Dino Risi's finest. It's much more honest about the protagonist than the remake, and Vittoria Gassman is always a pleasure to watch.
I love this film. It makes the remake of "The scent of a woman" with Al Pacino produced 20 years years later looking like a very inferior production. Dull, boring and uninteresting. Hollywood producers can learn a lot from this Italian production with Vittorio Gassman and Alessandro Momo.
I give this film 5 stars, because deserves them. If you get a chance buy it or rent it. You won't regret it.
Ho già detto tutto nel titolo... Bisogna de-regionalizzare il DVD, poi copiarlo (cosa che sarebbe illegale. Visto che l' acquisto è stato regolare, mi sono buttato; però...)
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