Director of Scent of a Woman

Background:

American film director, scriptwriter, producer and occasional actor Martin Brest attracted public attention with the Americanized remake “Scent of a Woman” (1992), which he directed and produced. The Al Pacino vehicle earned the AFI alum two Academy Award nominations. Prior to the huge success, Brest won acclaim for his student projects, “Hot Dogs for Gauguin” (1972) and “Hot Tomorrows” (1975), and enjoyed massive box office hit with the first Eddie Murphy vehicle, “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984). On directing “Beverly Hills Cop,” he stated, “That the film turned out to be coherent is a miracle. That it is successful proves there is a God.”

However, Brest had to deal with a series of failure after “Scent of a Woman.” The remake “Meet Joe Black” (1998) received mixed reviews and the Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez comedy “Gigli” (2003) was the financial and critical disappointment and even brought him three Razzie Awards. After “Gigli,” Brest disappears from the public eye.

As an actor, Brest has had small roles in the movies “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982) and “Spies Like Us” (1985) and in a few of his movies.

As for his personal life, Brest and his wife, producer Lisa Weinstein, have one son.

The Bronx Native

Childhood and Family:

Martin Brest was born on August 8, 1951, in The Bronx, New York. After graduating from Stuyvesant High School in 1969, he studied film at New York University's School of the Arts and earned his degree in 1973. He went on to pursue a master's degree at the American Film Institute Conservatory, graduating in 1977.

Martin is the husband of producer Lisa Weinstein. He has a son, Isaac.

Beverly Hills Cop

Career:

Martin Brest directed a short film entitled “Hot Dogs for Gauguin” (1972) while a student at New York University. The award-winning project starred a then-unknown Danny DeVito. Five years later, he wrote, directed, produced and edited the low-budget comedy “Hot Tomorrows” for the American Film Institute, which was shown at the New York Film Festival. These early work put the talented twentysomething under the radar of Warner Bros., who then recruited Brest to helm veteran actors Lee Strasberg, George Burns and Art Carney in the masterpiece “Going in Style” (1979), which he also wrote. Under his direction, the three stars picked up a Pasinetti Award for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival.

After his Hollywood debut, Brest was hired to direct the sci-fi/thriller “War Games” (1983), but after a conflict with producers he was fired and replaced by John Badham. He rebounded the following year with the blockbuster hit “Beverly Hills Cop,” starring Eddie Murphy. With budget $14 dollar, the comedy/adventure grossed more than $200 million at the North American box office. Besides, it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen and a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical and won a People's Choice for Favorite Motion Picture. Brest also appeared in the film as a checkout clerk at the Beverly Palms Hotel. He previously had a bit part in Amy Heckerling's adaptation of Cameron Crowe's, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982), playing Dr. Miller.

Following a cameo as drive-in security Guard in John Landis' “Spies Like Us” (1985), which starred Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd, Brest directed and produced the action/adventure “Midnight Run” (1988), which went on to become one of best movies of all time. The film received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture-Comedy/Musical and brought star Robert De Niro another nomination in the category of Best Actor. It was his subsequent project that brought the director/producer extensive recognition and fame. The tearjerker “Scent of a Woman” (1992), based on a book by Italian novelist Giovanni Arpino, “Il Buio E Il Miele,” received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, and won one in the category of Best Actor in a Leading Role thanks to Al Pacino's bright turn as a blind, acerbated army colonel named Frank Slade. It also won three Golden Globe Awards.

Regardless the success of “Scent of a Woman,” Brest did not land any directing assignments until 1998 when he helmed Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins and Claire Forlani in “Meet Joe Black,” a remake of “Death Takes a Holiday.” The movie, however, was mostly ignored by critics and audience and even picked up a Razzie nomination for Worst Remake or Sequel. In between the projects, he produced the small motion picture “Josh and S.A.M.” (1993), which starred Jacob Tierney and Noah Fleiss.

Brest departing filmmaking for five years after the poorly-received “Meet Joe Black.” When he eventually made his return, Brest directed, wrote and produced “Gigli,” a 2003 comedy/romance starring then-couple Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. The film, which was released at the acme of public interest in their romance, proved to be a great disaster with both audiences and critics alike. With budget over $54 million, “Gigli” collected only $3.8 million in its opening weekend. It was nominated for nine Razzie Awards in 2004, three of which he won (Worst Director, Worst Screenplay and Worst Picture). Two year after its release, “Gigli” won a Razzie for Worst 'Comedy' of Our First 25 Years.

Since then, Brest has not directed or produced any movies.

Awards:

• Razzie Award: Worst Director, “Gigli,” 2004

• Razzie Award: Worst Screenplay, “Gigli,” 2004

• American Film Institute: Franklin J. Schaffner Award, 1994