This was the movie that put Al Pacino over Clint Eastwood in my all-time favourite actors list. He gives an incredible performance as a blind Lt. Colonel, retired. The movie starts out in a rich prep school in New England, as Charlie, who’s on student aid, looks for a job in order to make enough money to fly home to Oregon on Christmas break. It turns out that the Colonel’s niece and husband need to get away over the Thanksgiving weekend and subsequently, need somebody to watch over their blind uncle. The Colonel drags the young Charlie to New York City, where he finally lives on the edge. Meanwhile, Charlie deals with a moral dilemma that will face him once he returns to school. The New England scenery, as well as New York shots really bring the film home, and the final scene shows brilliantly what great range Al Pacino has, as well as solidifing this as one of my favourites.
As a side note, Rosie O’ Donnell’s brother, Chris O’ Donnell, also plays a great role in this movie.