Rating: 
Summary: A well-mounted disappointment.
Review: The stars are for Rob Brown's exciting performance as Jamal Wallace, and for the jazz on the soundtrack. This is a well-made movie marred by massive reliance on cliche, and an abundance of plot holes. The biggest plot hole -- why is William Forrester's novel so beloved? We really aren't shown or told, and it seems like the screenwriter is relying on the viewer identifying Forrester's work with The Catcher in the Rye. Also, Forrester's writing lesson is ridiculous. He basically tells Jamal to type anything, and let that stand as a first draft. Forrester's "advice" is, of course, a paraphrase of Truman Capote's put-down of Jack Kerouac's method. It's just laughable to have Hollywood enshrine a withering put-down as the model of good writing. The romantic subplot between Jamal and Anna Paquin's character is undernourished and stunted. F. Murray Abraham is OK, but the denouement is a hideous and cliched set piece.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth a second (or third, or fourth) look.
Review: This is definitely one of my favorite movies. I guess the only word to describe it is, well, humble. It doesn't have that same pretentious air that most modern movies have, the actors don't seem to be over-extending themselves, and there's no weird experimental camera work or the run of the mill random explosions. Instead, there's a strong concentration on the excellent plot, which makes the film seem over far too fast (even though it's a strong 3 hrs.). I remember walking out of the theater, puzzled as to how it got so dark so quickly.
Rating: 
Summary: Great film and worthy performances!
Review: After reading the good reviews this film was getting I decided to go see it, and I do enjoy a good Sean Connery film. And I was treated to a delightful and inspiring film! I felt that both actors gave great performances, but still I feel that "Scent of a Woman" is superior.
Rating: 
Summary: Great potential and acting, but lacking
Review: I love Sean Connery, love writing, and love this style of movie so when I bought the DVD I thought this would end up being one of my favorites in my collection. Unfortunately, while the acting is great and the story very good (although a bit too predictable), this has got to be the first time that bad *editing* ever stood out in my mind from a movie.There are many scenes that have people just seem to "appear" without any warning, that people jump from one area to another without logical reason, and that entire (important) sections of the movie seem to have been removed. It really breaks the rhythm of the movie and the plot holes are too large to ignore. Maybe it was too long? I would think on the DVD version at least that they could have put back in the pieces that really needed to be there. I recommend the movie in general for its good acting and generally decent storyline, but be prepared to overlook some rough edges!
Rating:
Summary: Well done for a feel good story.
Review: I am not usually a fan of blatant and odvious feel good dramas which this movie is. Most movies of this kind overreach or push for somthing that isn't there making the movie feel false and manipulative. This movie saves itself with two very good performances by Connory and Rob Brown. The script doesn't have any real suprises, but the dialoge is good and somtimes excellent. Mostly, what makes this movie good is the fact that the movie works by hinting and showing the friendship grow between the two characters, and the only sceane that has a cry here sign all over it is one that everyone know will come, and when it does, it is handled with restriant. The movie has its problems. It lacks a certian consistancy of style at points, and a couple of plot setups seem forced. This movie tells a story that we have seen before, but still does it with skill and integrity enough that it is worth watching agian.
Rating:
Summary: VERY WELL PLEASED
Review: THE MOVIE WAS GREAT. I USED TO WRITE IN HIGH SCHOOL SO I COULD RELATE. ANNA PAQUIN WAS GREAT AND THE SOUNDTRACK WAS HAUNTING. THE LANGUAGE IS A LITTLE STRONG BUT HEY, THEY LIVE IN THE BRONX!!
Rating:
Summary: Simply Wonderful
Review: Nothing more to say than this movie touched my heart.
Rating:
Summary: Elegant and Simple!
Review: Once in while a movie comes out that wins all sorts of academy awards for costumes, acting, music, etc. This is not one of those movies. It is not overly done. Some people have remarked that Sean Connery basically carried the movie. I disagree because it is a simple movie about a student and a teacher. Nothing more and nothing less. It is to the point. No edge of your seat drama. No flashy costumes. The soundtrack is awesome. Over all it is a very inspiring film. All of the actors in it contributed enough to make the movie what it was. I enjoy the fact that there were no racial slurs or every other word a curse word. It was as my title put it. Elegant and Simple! Both the movie and Soundtrack are worth owning.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent.
Review: This movie was very much in danger of becoming a rehash of Goodwill Hunting. However it went much further, and became a modern day classic. Superb acting, especially from both Sean Connery and relative unknown Rob Brown make it very real. One would have to cast doubt on Connery's suitablity for the role at first, but he actually does it surprisingly well. The plot of the film is really excellent, very difficult to beat. Rob Brown has obviously got first-hand experience and he played his role very authentically. I won't relate the plot exactly, but I will say that you must go and find it out.
Rating:
Summary: It only gets three stars because of Connery
Review: Connery's performance pretty much carries this story of a gifted writer who comes out of his house to help a young basketball player (Rob Brown) with his up-coming talents as a writer of both poetry and prose writing. Great movie for people who love books and know how reading and writing can get you ahead in the world, but many of the other actors in this movie have almost nothing to do, and that;s a waste.
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