Carlito's Way (1993)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Brian De Palma

Writers (WGA):

Edwin Torres (novels)
David Koepp (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 November 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

A Puerto-Rican ex-con, just released from prison, pledges to stay away from drugs and violence despite the pressure around him and lead on to a better life outside of NYC.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Drugs | Puerto Rican | Violence | Nightclub

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win

Cast

Al Pacino	...	Carlito 'Charlie' Brigante
Sean Penn	...	David Kleinfeld
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Gail
John Leguizamo	...	Benny Blanco
Ingrid Rogers	...	Steffie
Luis Guzmán	...	Pachanga (as Luis Guzman)
James Rebhorn	...	Dist. Atty. Norwalk
Joseph Siravo	...	Vincent 'Vinnie' Taglialucci
Viggo Mortensen	...	Lalin
Richard Foronjy	...	Pete Amadesso
Jorge Porcel	...	Saso (Ron)
Frank Minucci	...	Tony Taglialucci
Adrian Pasdar	...	Frankie Taglialucci
John Ortiz	...	Guajiro (as John Augstin Ortiz)
Ángel Salazar	...	Walberto

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, drug content, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

144 min | USA:145 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Singapore:M18 | Portugal:M/16 | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:14 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 (bw) | New Zealand:M | Norway:18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

4th Avenue Subway Station, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Pacino first met Judge 'Edwin Torres' in 1973 while he was preparing for Serpico (1973). At the time, Torres was in the midst of writing the novels on which the film is based and discussed them with Pacino. Twenty years later, Torres took Pacino to East Harlem to help him prepare of the role of Carlito.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Tony T. is threatening to snap Kleinfeld's neck, Kleinfeld has a pen in his right hand and it is resting on the table. When the scene shifts to Kleinfeld, he suddenly has his hand raised.

Quotes:

[Benny Blanco is being beat up by Pachanga]
Carlito: Take him in the alley!
Carlito: [voice-over] Dumb move, man. Dumb move. But it's like them old reflexes comin' back.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Screenwipe: (#5.4)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Lakmé

A Wonderful Movie

Pacino and DePalma team up once again and the result is once again triumphant. "Carlito's Way" is an emotional and captivating story, depicting the life of former trug kingpin Carlito Brigante (Pacino). Brigante's intention is to go straight, clean up his act, and make money managing a sleazy nightclub. David Koepp's screenplay has the depth it needs in examining the intense struggle an ex-druglord must endure when trying to escape his violent past. Stephen Burum's nearly flawless camerawork and DePalma's flamboyant and operatic direction are a visual splendor that complements the emotional story. This film is a highly underrated work of art that needs to be appreciated. Great supporting performances from Sean Penn and Penelope Ann Miller should not go unmentioned.