28. Let us live a lifetime in a minute 

Today, I was again watching the 1992 American film ‘Scent of a Woman’, after a very long time. Filmgoers know that it was a box office success with stars like Al Pacino and Chris O’Donnell. 

Based on the famous Italian novel Il buio e il miele (the literal meaning Darkness and Honey) it was first adopted for screen by Dino Risi in 1974 and the Italian film was titled, Profumo di donna.

The story develops as a student named Charlie takes a short-term job as a companion and assistant to a highly decorated retired army officer, a Vietnam War hero Frank Slade who has become an alcoholic and blind.

The crux of the story is - Frank Slade (played by Al Pacino) takes Charlie on a trip to New York and stays at a luxurious hotel. There Frank Slade reveals to Charlie his purpose of coming to New York – “to enjoy good food and wine, visit his older brother, and have sex with a terrific woman.”

After this, he intended to die by suicide. 

My purpose here is to narrate a scene which is very beautifully shot with terrific dialogue. I must have missed these lines while watching it the first time.

In the hotel’s dining hall Frank Slade (Al Pacino), approaches a young lady, who is quietly sitting and waiting for a friend - 

-          Excuse me senorita, you mind if we join you? I'm feeling you're being neglected.

-          Well, I'm expecting somebody.

-          Instantly?

-          No, but any minute now. 

-          Any minute? Some people live a lifetime in a minute. What are you doing right now?

-          I'm waiting for him.

-          Well, would you mind if we waited with you? You know, just to keep the womanisers from bothering you.

-          No, I don’t mind. 

-          Would you like to learn to tango? I'm offering you my services free of charge. 

-          I think I'd be a little afraid of….

-          Afraid of what? 

-          Afraid of making a mistake.

-          No mistakes in the tango. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, get all tangled up. Just tango on.

-           

Produced and directed by Martin Brest the film won three Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor, Best Screenplay and Best Motion Picture. For his fabulous performance Al Pacino won the Academy Award for Best Actor and the film was nominated in various categories.

In the seventies Tango had been a favourite word of some well-known directors. 

I can recollect the ‘Last Tango in Paris’ the 1972 erotic film starring Marlon Brando and the French actress Maria Schneider.