Scent of a Woman

Al Pacino as Lt. Col. Frank Slade:

Played brilliantly by Pacino. (He won both the golden Globe and the Oscar for best actor.)

Why this is a great diatribe.

I have a weakness for flawed characters it seems. And Lt. Col. Frank Slade is definitely flawed. He seems to sum himself up in the line “It’s all right Charlie. You break my heart son. All my life I’ve stood up to everyone and everything because it made me feel *important*. You do it… because you mean it. You’ve got integrity Charlie. I don’t know whether to shoot you or adopt ya.”

Slade thinks of himself as a once great man, who lost lost his greatness with the loss of his sight. Charlie helps him realize that perhaps he never really was a great man, even with his sight. But perhaps it’s not to late to become one.

And his railing at the Baird School in defense of Charlie is a mighty fine start.

The Diatribe:

[at Charlie's disciplinary hearing]

Mr. Trask: I am left with no real witness. Mr. Willis’ testimony is not only vague, it is unsubstantiated. The substance Mr. Simms that I was looking for, Mr. Simms, was to come from you.
Charlie Simms: I’m sorry.

Mr. Trask: I am sorry to Mr. Simms. because you know what I am going to do. And as much as I can’t punish Mr. Habbermeyer, Mr. Potter or Mr. Jameson and I won’t punish Mr Willis. He is the only party to this incident who is still worthy to call himself a Baird man. I am going to recommend to the disciplinary comittee that you be expelled. Mr. Simms, you are a cover up artist. And you are a liar.

Lt. Col. Frank Slade: But not a SNITCH.

Mr. Trask: Excuse me?

Lt. Col. Frank Slade: No. I don’t think I will.

Mr. Trask: Mr. Slade.

Lt. Col. Frank Slade: This is such a croc of shit!
Mr. Trask: Mr. Slade, you are in the Baird School. Not a barracks. Mr. Simm, I will give you 1 more opportunity to speak up.

Lt. Col. Frank Slade: Mr. Simms doesn’t want it. He doesn’t need to be labeled “Still worthy of being a Baird Man”. What the hell is that? What IS your motto here? “Boys. Inform on your classmates. Save your hides. Anything short of that we’re gonna burn you at the stake?”

Well. Gentlemen. When the shit hits the fan, some guys run, and some guys stay. Charlie, facing the fire, and theres George, hiding in big daddy’s pocket. And what are you doing? You’re going to reward George. And destroy Charlie.

Mr. Trask: Are you finished Mr. Sade?

Lt. Col. Frank Slade: No. I’m just warming up. I don’t know who went to this place. William Howard Taft. William Jennings Bryan. William Tell. Whoever. Their spirit is dead. If they ever had one. It’s gone. You’re building a rat ship. A vessel for sea going snitches. And if you think you’re preparing these minnows for manhood, you’d better think again. For I say you are killing the very spirit this institution claims it instills. (pause) What a sham. What kind of a show are you guys putting on here today? I mean the only class in this act is sitting here right next to me. And I mean to tell youthis boy’s soul is IN-TACT. It’s non-negotiable. You know how I know? Someone here, and I’m not going to say who, offered to buy it. Only Charlie here wasn’t selling.

Mr. Trask: Sir, you’re out of order. (bangs gavel.)

Lt. Col. Frank Slade: Out of order, I show you out of order. You don’t know what out of order is, Mr. Trask. I’d show you, but I’m too old, I’m too tired, I’m too fuckin’ blind. If I were the man I was five years ago, I’d take a FLAMETHROWER to this place! Out of order? Who the hell do you think you’re talkin’ to? I’ve been around, you know? There was a time I could see. And I have seen. Boys like these, younger than these, their arms torn out, their legs ripped off. But there isn’t nothin’ like the sight of an amputated spirit. There is no prosthetic for that. You think you’re merely sending this splendid foot soldier back home to Oregon with his tail between his legs, but I say you are… executin’ his soul! And why? Because he’s not a Bairdman. Bairdmen. You hurt this boy, you’re gonna be Baird bums, the lot of ya. And Harry, Jimmy, Trent, wherever you are out there, FUCK YOU TOO!

Mr. Trask: Stand down Mr. Slade.

Lt. Col. Frank Slade: I’m not finished. As I came in here I heard those words, “cradle of leadership”. Well when the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. And it has fallen here. It has FALLEN. Makers of men? Creators of leaders? Be careful what kind of leaders you are producing. I don’t know if Charlie’s silence here today is right or wrong. 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 friend is called integrity. That’s called courage. Now that’s the stuff leaders should be made of.

Lt. Col. Frank Slade: Now I have come to the cross-roads in my life. I always knew what the right path was. Without exception, I knew, but I never took it. You know why? It was too damn hard. Now here’s Charlie. He’s come to the cross-roads. 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. You hold this boys future in your hands committee. It’s a valuable future. Believe me. Don’t destroy it. Protect it. Embrace it. It’s gonna make you proud one day. I promise.

(restaurant scene)

Lt. Col. Frank Slade: Women! What can you say? Who made ‘em? God must have been a fuckin’ genius. The 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? Or lips… and when they touched, yours were like… that first swallow of wine… after you just crossed the desert. Tits. Hoo-ah! Big ones, little ones, nipples staring right out at ya, like secret searchlights. Mmm. Legs. I don’t care if they’re Greek columns… or secondhand Steinways. What’s between ‘em… passport to heaven. I need a drink. Yes, Mr Sims, there’s only two syllables in this whole wide world worth hearing: pussy. Hah! Are you listenin’ to me, son? I’m givin’ ya pearls here.