The story starts by introducing the character Charlie Simms (O'Donnell) is a student at boarding School, but unlike his friends, he has very little money, and has to work through the thanksgiving holidays. He gets a job "babysitting" a retired Army Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade (Pacino).At first this guy seems to be amazingly arrogant, but it's a defense mechanism. He is fed up with life after an accident with a grenade that lost him his sight.

Before seeing this film, I knew it would be a very interesting film, as I enjoyed most of Al Pacino's work . After sitting through it though, I can fully understand why he won the 1992 Best Actor Award at the Academy Awards for this film. If I hadn't have known that he could see, I wouldn't have been able to tell that he was acting! That is just how good a portrayal he makes of the bitter, twisted Army Officer.

For Chris O'Donnell, this was his breakthrough film. His performance as the innocent, naive student perfectly complements Frank Slades character. Also, there is a fleeting glimpse of the Brit actress Gabrielle Anwar. Her scene although brief, helps to show a lighter, more human-side to Franks persona. At the end of the film you can't help but care for Frank.

This film is absolutely unmissable. the film gets very serious, but it is perfectly balanced, with a solid plot, and an outstanding script. Which is perfectly demonstrated near the end when Pacino gives his speech which I found very interesting and also true.