Reclaim Your Power
How Al Pacino's Lt. Col. Frank Slade in 'Scent of a Woman' Changed My Life Forever
Recently, I came to the realisation that "Scent of a Woman," a film I watched at the tender age of 8, served as a catalyst for my healing journey of Reclaiming My Power.
Over the years, I've come to understand the profound impact that the lessons in this film have had on my life.
Al Pacino portrays the character of Lt. Col. Frank Slade, a bitter and brusque retired U.S. Army officer who loses his eyesight juggling hand grenades. Now Pacino’s portrayal of Frank Slade has all the ingredients of a very powerful emotional life, with an interesting counterbalancing of emotional and psychological tendencies.
He is a man who lives in the dark, bitter and angry, but in many ways, for those who can see it, his heart is wide open.
The polarity of Frank’s emotional world is manifested through the crispness, elevation, and precise annunciation of his voice, coupled with the immense boundaries he sets—resisting being led, even when requiring support as he walks with his cane.
One striking characteristic of Frank is his ability to go from a whisper to a roar in an instant, with a volume and resonance that can leave you frozen, reminding me of my own interactions with my father growing up.
As you get to know Frank, it becomes challenging to comprehend why he would have put himself at risk by juggling hand grenades. On the surface, he appears highly regimented and self-disciplined through his actions.
However, beneath his exterior lies a man who embodies the essence of rebellion and non-conformity. It appears that he never rose above the rank of Lieutenant Colonel because, deep down, there existed a conflict between the persona he projected and his true inner self. He lacked the courage to confront his own truthfully and honestly.
In my view, the explosion of the hand grenade presented him with an opportunity for rebirth. It allowed him to embrace the delicate balance between life and death, carrying the weight of a heavy heart while harbouring a secret stash of hope and optimism. This allowed Charlie to enter his life—as a person who represents a fresh start, a bright future, integrity, and innocence.
Chris O'Donnell portrays the character of Charlie Simms in the film. Charlie is a young student who becomes the caretaker for Frank Slade, played by Al Pacino.
What I admire about Frank is the complexity of his presence and personality. He carries bitterness yet exudes charisma. He experiences loneliness and anger yet possesses sweetness, sharpness, and remarkable intuition. Yes, he may be rough around the edges, but he is someone impossible not to love. Even his abrupt actions stem from a deep longing for unity with the world.
Drawing parallels with my own life, I have encountered similar dynamics with my boxing coach. His communication style sometimes clouds his role as a teacher, but I recognise it as a form of medicine. Rather than backing down, I confront him and refuse to play into the pattern. This rawness cultivates space for an alchemical process that benefits both of us, highlighting the leaks in our lives and paving the way for growth and transformation.
Lessons are often learned through sharp and uncomfortable experiences filled with dysfunction and inertia. However, we have the choice not always to follow the rhythm dictated by others. Our lives do not have to be dramatic and explosive; we can make an impact and cut through the noise in a simple and refined way.
Frank's journey is ultimately a quest for simplicity. He desires to come home to himself, beyond the act of dangling the dagger, and embrace the feminine. His adoration and reverence for women serve as his gateway to heaven, a synesthetic connection that brings him back to who he truly is.
Frank: "Women! What can you say? Who made 'em? God must have been a... genius. Their hair. They say the hair is everything, you know. Have you ever buried your nose in a mountain of curls... just wanted to go to sleep forever?"
Here we have a man who dwells in darkness yet finds a profound connection when enveloped by the embrace of the feminine. The feminine serves as a doorway that leads him back to his own heart.
"When in doubt, go for the nose. That's what I want. I want to bury my face right in there, right in the valley, swim in the river, drink from the fountain.”
(Laughs), Wow, he’s a big personality, isn’t he?
He knows what arouses his passion, and he fearlessly pursues it. There is a slightly disconcerting aspect to his directness at times. However, he is indicating something that he instinctively senses through his deep appreciation of the feminine, and it emanates from his heart.
This is evident in one of my favourite scenes when he dances the tango, putting on a show with a woman he just met who opens up to him because of his charisma and confidence. He is very respectful and astutely aware of the energetics that are present between them. The fact that he can't see her, but he can feel her beauty and move with her in such a way on the dance floor... is mesmerising.
Look at this.
Seeing the shining light that the feminine holds in his life directly parallels how I experience the feminine in my life. I feel as though I am surrounded by the most beautiful, powerful, and exceptional women in the world.
When we grasp the beauty that the feminine weaves in her mystery and essence and the power she holds, if, as men, we could truly comprehend the significance, we would do absolutely everything within our power to provide a structure for the liberation of the feminine. Through this act of liberating the feminine, men themselves become liberated.
Frank is being guided by the same shining light that is accessible to all mankind, it doesn’t matter how down and out you have been or what’s happened in the past; what matters is that there is a willingness to pass through the gateway of your own heart. This is where the truth resides that Frank seems to be remembering.
Reflecting on the film, several scenes profoundly impacted me. One moment, in particular, involves Al Pacino's character contemplating suicide. However, his friend and caretaker, Charlie, tries to wrestle the gun from his hand, resulting in Frank aiming the weapon at Charlie.
I’m going to share part of the scene first and will unpack it right after.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Frank stands near the window, his face etched with frustration and despair. The dimly lit room reflects the darkness that has enveloped his life. His hand trembles as he raises the gun, pointing it at Charlie, who stands frozen, fear in his eyes.
FRANK: What life? I got no life! I'm in the dark here! Do you understand? I'm in the dark!
CHARLIE: So give up. You want to give up, give up... 'cause I'm givin' up too. You said I'm through. You're right. We're both through. It's all over. So let's get on with it. Let's fuckin' do it. Let's fuckin' pull the trigger, you miserable, blind mother****. Pull the trigger.
FRANK: You don't want to die.
CHARLIE: And neither do you.
FRANK: Give me one reason not to.
CHARLIE: I'll give you two. You can dance the tango and drive a Ferrari... better than anyone I've ever seen.
FRANK: You have never seen anyone do either.
CHARLIE: Give me the gun, Colonel.
FRANK: Oh, where do I go from here, Charlie?
CHARLIE: If you're tangled up, just tango on.
FRANK: You askin' me to dance, Charlie?
(Frank brings a blues melody to his voice)
FRANK: Did you ever have the feelin' that you wanted to go...
FRANK: And still had the feelin' that you wanted to stay...
FRANK: You like my blues, Charlie? (Formal dress uniform)
CHARLIE: Yeah, they're beautiful.
FRANK: I wore these for Lyndon's inauguration. Of course, uh, we weren't the number one ball. But he dropped by anyway.
CHARLIE: Will you please give me the gun?
FRANK: You're askin' an officer to surrender his sidearm.
CHARLIE: You don't have to surrender it. You just put it down for a little while. All right? Just put it down.
FRANK: Boy, I could use a drink, Charlie.
(Frank hands over his gun)
End scene
This scene possesses a profound depth that emanates from the very core of Frank, akin to a spiritual revelation that resonates throughout the frame.
To give you context, Charlie becomes Frank's caretaker. However, before Charlie's arrival, Frank meticulously planned and booked an extraordinary weekend adventure for them in New York. Frank even arranges their flight to New York, ensuring that every detail is in place for their journey. Unbeknownst to Charlie, who has taken the job to save money for a visit to his parents, Frank's intention is to check off the items on his bucket list before attempting to end his own life.
In this profound moment, Frank encounters an unfamiliar sensation: genuine love and appreciation reflected in Charlie's eyes. This profound connection transcends the darkness that threatens to consume Frank. It is as if the presence of spirit itself is tugging at Frank's heart, declaring, "Hello, Sir, you requested our presence, and we have arrived at the time of the hour.”
The scene represents an extraordinary union that emerges from the extreme polarities they find themselves. It's an alchemical fusion that profoundly alters the trajectory of both their lives. To me, this emotional climax stands as a true cinematic masterpiece, akin to what I would imagine as the moment when Buddha imparts his sacred teachings to his followers for the very first time.
It is important to highlight the role of Charlie as a mirror of Frank's inner child. Through their deep connection and the shared journey depicted in the film, a powerful transformation takes place, enabling Frank to reconnect with and embrace his own inner child. This transformative shift creates a pathway for Frank to fully embrace fundamental aspects of his being—his innocence, purity, creativity, sense of purpose, and alignment with his true essence.
A final defining moment in the film occurs when Frank steps up to defend Charlie in his college disciplinary hearing. Charlie finds himself caught in a difficult situation where he witnessed an event from a distance and was falsely implicated by a teacher.
Charlie unintentionally becomes a witness to the preparations for the prank, observing from a distance without any direct involvement. The timing of his presence catches the attention of a teacher who believes he may possess valuable information. The following day, the teacher raises the incident, placing Charlie in a challenging predicament. Now he must make a decision: comply with the college authorities' demands and reveal what he saw, endangering his peers' future, or remain silent and face the risk of expulsion. In this crucial moment, Frank steps forward, providing a compelling defence for Charlie, despite the fact that his peers are not his friends and often subject him to mockery.
Frank Slade: "I'm not a judge or jury. But I can tell you this: he won't sell anybody out to buy his future!! And that, my friends, is called integrity! That's called courage! Now that's the stuff leaders should be made of. Now I have come to a crossroads in my life. I always knew what the right path was. Without exception, I knew. But I never took it. Do you know why? It was too damn hard. Now here's Charlie. He's come to a crossroads. He has chosen a path. It's the right path. It's a path made of principle -- that leads to character. Let him continue on his journey."
In this powerful moment, we witness Frank's transformation as he comes full circle. He confronts and reconciles his own internal conflicts by standing up against the representation of an institution he once rebelled against during his military days. This act becomes a second chance for him to break free from his past and reclaim his power. With immense courage, Frank defends Charlie, recognising that Charlie embodies the true values that the school should uphold.
In the pivotal board disciplinary hearing, Frank steps onto the stage with an unwavering determination to defend Charlie. He passionately emphasises Charlie's unyielding integrity, proclaiming his refusal to betray others, even at the cost of his own future. Frank presents this extraordinary quality as an aspiration for all. With a firm conviction, he lays bare the school's hypocrisy, revealing their glaring failure to live up to the moral principles they claim to uphold. Through Frank's firm actions, we are reminded of the timeless significance of integrity and staying true to one's principles, a profound lesson that Charlie unwittingly imparts to him throughout their transformative journey.
This scene holds a profound symbol of unifying the opposing forces of light and dark within the polarity field. Frank Slade returns to the “chamber” armed with a new set of tools and accompanied by a trusted ally who supported Frank in confronting and addressing his own shadows.
Coincidentally, this moment takes centre stage, allowing us to witness the qualities we have grown to admire in Frank—his exceptional communication and commanding voice. However, there is a notable shift in his presence: he is in the act of reclaiming his power, liberating himself from the internal struggles that once held him back.
One more thing.
The physical resemblance between Al Pacino and my father has always been uncanny. My father has played a central role in my life. He has been instrumental in my awakening.
In a strange and profound way, when I was just eight years old, Frank Slade unknowingly gave me a ray of hope. It was an indescribable feeling, a sense that I could somehow reconcile the inner conflicts and insecurities that my relationship with my father evoked within me.
Frank's story illuminated the truth for me: no matter what challenges we face in life, if we open our hearts and truly listen to the depths of our being while maintaining unwavering faith in the unfolding process, we have the ability to navigate through any predicament and emerge with new eyes.
Through the depths of my journey, I have discovered invaluable gems that have brought about big beautiful changes in my life. Today, I extend a heartfelt invitation to those who resonate with this story. If you sense a gentle tug in your heart, an inner yearning to delve into the depths of your own power, I invite you to take the next step.
If you are indeed curious, I have recently launched a program called "Reclaim Your Power." If this resonates and sparks a sense of intrigue, please feel free to respond to this email, and we can arrange a time to connect and explore further.
Here is one of my favourite quotes from Frank.
You've been in the sugar business for so long you've forgotten the taste of real honey!
All My Love,
Igor Kreyman