Editing Scent of a Woman (1992 film) (section)

==Plot==
Charlie Simms is a [[Scholarships in the United States|scholarship]] student at Baird, an exclusive [[New England]] [[College-preparatory school#United States|preparatory school]]. Karen hires him to watch her uncle, retired Army [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] Frank Slade, during [[Thanksgiving]] weekend. Charlie accepts so he can buy a plane ticket home to [[Gresham, Oregon|Gresham]], Oregon, for [[Christmas]]. He meets Frank, a highly decorated, blind [[Vietnam War]] veteran who has become a cantankerous and cynical alcoholic.

Charlie and student George Willis Jr. witness three classmates set up a prank to humiliate the headmaster, Mr. Trask. Afterward, Trask learns of the witnesses and unsuccessfully presses them to name the perpetrators. He privately offers Charlie virtually guaranteed acceptance to [[Harvard University]] if Charlie will inform on the other students. Trask schedules a meeting of the school disciplinary committee to take place on the Monday after the Thanksgiving weekend.

Frank Slade unexpectedly takes Charlie on a trip to New York City and arranges their stay at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. During dinner in the [[Oak Room (Plaza Hotel)|Oak Room]] at the Plaza Hotel, Frank reveals that the goals of his trip are to stay at a luxurious hotel, enjoy good food and wine, visit his older brother, and have sex with a "terrific" woman. Afterward, he intends to die by suicide.

On Thanksgiving Day, they visit Frank's brother at his home in [[White Plains, New York|White Plains]]. Frank provokes everyone at dinner, which ends up in a confrontation with his nephew Randy, who reveals that Frank was not blinded heroically in combat, but in an accident that occurred when he juggled live grenades to show off for a group of younger officers.

As they return to New York City, Charlie mentions his problem at school. Frank advises Charlie to turn informant, warning that George will probably submit to Trask's pressure, so Charlie should act first so he can attend Harvard. While at a restaurant, Frank notices the scent of a young woman waiting for her date. He introduces himself and offers to teach her the [[tango]]. The evening ends with Frank having sex with a high-class escort, completing the stated objectives of his trip.

Despondent the next morning, Frank is uninterested in any suggestions for that day until Charlie suggests going for a ride. Frank talks a [[Ferrari]] salesman into letting them take a convertible for a test ride. When on the road, Frank becomes depressed again until Charlie allows him to drive. When they are pulled over by a policeman, Frank convinces the officer to let them go without revealing that he is blind.

After returning the car, Frank again becomes despondent. He jaywalks into rushing traffic on [[Park Avenue]] and narrowly escapes being struck by multiple cars. When they return to the hotel, Frank sends Charlie to buy cigars. Charlie leaves but becomes suspicious and returns to find Frank donning his dress uniform, preparing to end his life with his service pistol. Frank backs down after Charlie convinces him that he has much to live for and should courageously face his circumstances.

On Monday morning, Charlie and George appear before the Baird disciplinary committee with the student body in attendance. Frank unexpectedly arrives and sits with Charlie. George Jr. provides tentative identifications but claims he was not wearing his contact lenses, so he cannot be positive.

Charlie refuses to confirm George Jr.'s identification, so Trask recommends his expulsion. Frank gives a speech defending Charlie, denounces Baird for not living up to its own standards, and urges the committee to value Charlie's integrity. The disciplinary committee places the instigators on probation, denies George credit for naming them, and excuses Charlie from the proceedings.

As Charlie escorts Frank to his limousine, political science professor Christine Downes, a member of the disciplinary committee, commends Frank for his speech. Frank flirts with Christine, and impresses her by knowing the name of her perfume. Charlie accompanies Frank home, where Frank happily greets his niece's children.