Col. Frank Slade has a very special plan for the weekend. It involves travel, women, good food, fine wine,
the tango, chauffeured limousines and a loaded forty-five. And he's bringing Charlie along for the ride.

Starring: Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell, James Rebhorn, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Nicholas Sadler, Gabrielle Anwar, Bradley Whitford

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You're building a rat ship here. A vessel for seagoing snitches, and if you think you're preparing these minnows for manhood, you better think again, because I say you are killing the very spirit this institution proclaims it instills. What a sham." - Lt. Col. Frank Slade

Why watch this? Pacino is a force, and he will be reckoned with...

Plot Summary: Charlie Simms is a scholarship student at a prestigious prep school facing a difficult decision regarding a prank on the headmaster. To earn money for Christmas, he takes a temporary job caring for Frank Slade, a blind, retired Army Lieutenant Col. who is initially abrasive and cynical. Their weekend together unexpectedly transforms into a journey of self-discovery, challenging both men and forcing Charlie to confront ethical dilemmas while helping Frank grapple with his past.

Dad's Preview: A young prep school student, Charlie, agrees to "look after" Frank, a blind, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. Frank is difficult to say the least, but there is also a irrepressible charm to him. When Frank's prep school trumps up charges against the lad, Frank comes to his aid. His courtroom speech is for the ages - it's one of my favorite Pacino performances. He shines because I really feel he cuts loose, after all those years of portraying characters who held back (excluding Scarface, an unredeemable film I never liked). 

City Light Films; Universal Pictures