Carlito's Way

A longtime fan of Al Pacino, I saw "Carlito's Way" when it first came out, in 1993. Even back then, it was apparent to me that I was watching something very special. Since then, I've literally seen the movie hundreds of times, and it remains one of my all-time favorite films. The plot summary has been covered many times here, so I'll just stick to my comments. I think "Carlito's Way" is Brian DePalma's finest hour as a filmmaker. I could never understand the lukewarm critical response it received, though, ironically, time has been very kind to it. A lot of critics dismissed it as a second-rate follow-up to "Scarface"--which, interestingly, was also panned upon its release--but it possesses a depth and resonance that "Scarface" (or any of DePalma's other films, for that matter) just can't match. Having grown up in Queens, New York, in the 1970s--and having run with a pretty tough crowd--I was stunned at how well DePalma captured the sights and sounds of the time. It was like being transported back 20 years. But, perhaps because the film was made two decades after it's supposed to take place, "Carlito's Way" hasn't aged at all. Like many great films, it has a timeless feel to it, because it avoids many of the filmmaking clichés of the period in which it was made. DePalma was already working from a very good foundation--Edwin Torres' two books on Carlito Brigante, "Carlito's Way" and "After Hours," are exceptionally well written--but he could've easily dropped the ball. Thankfully, he didn't. Though he and Pacino were both initially opposed to rehashing the success of "Scarface," they eventually decided to work together again. The combination was pure magic. Like many great actors, Pacino sometimes needs to be challenged, and DePalma challenged him. And he responded with one of the best performances of his legendary career. He brings an elegiac air to the character of reformed drug kingpin Carlito Brigante, which brings out a level of depth and emotional weight that the character of Tony Montana just didn't have. In fact, Carlito makes Tony seem woefully cartoonish and two-dimensional by comparison. As the film progresses, the psychic weight of Carlito's worsening dilemma is channeled perfectly by Pacino's every move and word. Despite Carlito's sordid past, you sympathize with him and his increasingly futile attempt to escape that past. The rapidly shrinking box that is Carlito's way out is communicated stunningly, by Pacino's acting, the excellent dialogue and cinematography, and, crucially, the music, which builds to a crescendo during the subway chase scene--one of the best chase scenes ever committed to film, in my opinion. A movie is nothing without fine acting, and DePalma did a wonderful job of casting "Carlito's Way." The cast is, to a person, first-rate: John Leguizamo as up-and-coming gangster Benny Blanco; Penelope Ann Miller as Carlito's love interest, Gail; Luis Guzman as the traitorous Pachanga; and the ringer, Sean Penn, as Carlito's sleazy, out-of-control lawyer, David Kleinfeld. Penn has had a lot of great roles in his career, but his turn as Kleinfeld is definitely one of his most memorable: over-the-top, but never less than eminently believable . . . and chillingly frightening. As I said earlier, the years have been very kind to "Carlito's Way." It has aged better than any of DePalma's other films, and still looks and sounds as vital today as it did upon its release. That's a tough trick to pull off, but it's a testament to DePalma's filmmaking prowess and the actors' collective skill that, never once, do you catch yourself thinking about the age of the film. It's, quite simply, timeless--and, in this viewer's opinion, one of the best gangster films ever made. Whether history will judge it as such is debatable, but I believe that time will continue to enhance its reputation. It's a stunning cinematic achievement that will gain more and more supporters as the years go buy. I have absolutely no doubt about that.

Al P. plays a hispanic drug dealer who is released from prison on a technicality. He is determined to go straight. He wants as normal a life as possible. However, he can't escape the street. He is unwillingly pulled back into the world that has caused so much heartache. At every turn either a cousin, lawyer friend, or past associates just won't let him go. But no matter what is happening around him or to him he fights for this separation from the street. He finds the love of his life is still available to him if he can finally go straight. Even more incentive for him but he is in quick sand constantly pulling him down and back in. Every actor is superb. Al Pacino leads the way with a truly convincing performance as a man doomed to repeat a life of violence amongst the people he expects to be most understanding of his desire to go straight. Because he stills lives by a code of the street which is to help your friends he is drawn deeper and deeper back in. You can feel his pain . You are rooting for him to succeed .But that stupid code of his just wont let him detach himself from repeating the same life. He feels trapped but he finally has a plan that will finally set him free and allow him to start over again. Of course he is betrayed and ...... (no spoilers here). The film SCARFACE maybe more violent but it is less cerebral. This is a very intelligently put together screenplay of a man doomed to repeat the same errors no matter how motivated he is to move on. In DOG DAY AFTERNOON he was a good man (confused) forced to do bad. In Carlitos way he is a bad man trying to do good or at least stop being bad. In each case he just can't dig out. His performance is less frenetic here but not less hopeless.HEis doomed by his own values. AL P.screen presence is commanding as he has been in almost all of his career roles. I believe , arguably, this is his most conviencing role. Here is is a murderer and drug dealer and yet he makes you feel and root for him. That is an amazing talent for you to sympathize with a loser. An evil person. He is not asking for forgiveness but just to be left alone. And you hope he pulls it off. In addition Sean Penns performance is outstanding as a criminal attorney doing what he is hired to do. Get his client off. Except he is a creep. He is not to be trusted. You hate him for what he is doing to his friends. But Carlito feels a strong obligation to the man who found a way to get him out of prison. Theres that code of the street again .He once again crosses over the line of doom And finally his old girlfriend who he never stopped loving and wanting. Does she offer redemption or is she part of the quick sand. The two of them have an amazing attraction that seems to go beyond what you see on the screen. Great chemistry .Great acting ?Just a hunch. ... This is a tremdous film to watch. I come back to a viewing a couple of times a year when I want to remind myself of great performances. Whether you are a fan of Al P. or you just like great performances this is a film not to be missed.

What a fantastic film and played great

One of Al Pacino's greatest characters. You follow him through the New York underbelly with Sean Penn at his side

Great flic

I saw this film when it first came out, and I didn't think it was anything special. I've lived quite a long time since then, and now I understand how a life goes. Well put together, well-acted, great score, multi-faceted characters, good script, good camera work. I think a viewer has to have a fair amount of life experience, to really appreciate this film

As always, another great classic movie. (Tiny crack on case)

Loved it was filled with every Hollywood tough guy actor of the era. Sean Penn was unrecognizable as Carlitos lawyer. Sean Penn plays an ugly degenerate Jewish fish out of water lawyer trying to play a gangster and of course bring everyone down with him. Definitely shed a tear for Carlito. Al Pacino turns in a stellar performance. Miss Miller as the girl friend doomed by love. Benny Blanco I played by John Leguizamo is a vicious thug.