The movie “Scent of a Woman” highlights an interesting topic of “Frictions of Human Mind” and how it is arduous to reach to a conclusion. Decision-making is quite a difficult and a lengthy process especially with lots of factors involved like greed, ego, fear, obligations and most importantly HONOR.
Charlie, the protagonist, comes to the crossroads where he has to choose between two paths. First he has a free and easy ticket to Harvard and second where he has to remain silent to save the integrity of his friends. But he chooses to stay and chooses his Honor over the shimmer offered by the school’s headmaster. While his friend George prefers hiding in the cavity of his wealthy father, Charlie takes a stand and sets an example of a non-negotiable soul.
The situation perfectly demonstrates of how honor, integrity, ethics and morals can shape an individual’s mind and carve the paths for crucial decisions. It has been quoted rightly – “Beliefs carves thoughts, Thoughts become actions, Actions creates values and Values lead to destiny”. Army Lieutenant Colonel Slade, the other protagonist, talks about “Cradle of Leaderhsip” and how integrity, courage build up leaders. Charlie lost his free ticket to Harvard but in turn earned the respect, applause from the student body, exemption from punishment and portrays characterstics of a leader.
The movie also demonstrates a situation where Slade is about to commit suicide, but Charlie helps him to realize his self-respect and refrains him from doing it. Before this realization Slade was ruthless and bitter to others, but after this, his judgements and decision-making were heightened. He was in the position to judge Charlie’s decision of remaining silent and he could also correctly comment on the decision of the faculty disciplinary committee and rectify them. He influenced the committee to realize the potential leader in Charlie and how Charlie had the ability to make others proud of him. This depicts what self respect does to a person’s judgement and even bigger, honor makes a person influential enough to impact others perspectives.
Since Trask offers bribe, Charlies knows that Trask is not a fair headmaster. Charlie being honest decides not to support Trask.
Slade gets an standing ovation for supporting Charlie’s hard choice. Usually we don’t receive standing ovations for making hard choices. May be that’s the reason they are called hard choices ;)