Customer Reviews

Carlito's Way [HD DVD]

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This film is often seen as the follow up to Brian De Palma's `Scarface (Widescreen Anniversary Edition), and while the films share a logical line of progression and the same director and star, they're not related really. The recent viewing of this movie for the first time since it was released in the mid 90s confirmed my long held beliefs: this is some of Mr. Pacino's best work on film along with great performances from Penelope Ann Miller (his love interest) and Sean Penn (Carlito's lawyer).

Brian De Palma makes one of his best (and under-rated) films by letting the viewer be as self-aware of the on-coming clichés and pit-falls of the drama the story intones, just by the narration. The aged, contemplative voice of Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino) that chimes in more often than not, is as essential to the way the story unfolds as Henry Hill's was to `GoodFellas'- this guys been on the inside, he knows the ropes, he knows the stakes, he knows the nature of the beast that goes with the people he associates with, and now that he's out of prison, he doesn't want it anymore. Un-like a lesser film, we start to believe his intentions and reasoning's.

Carlito's just been released, thanks in part to his counselor David Kleinfeld (Sean Penn), five years gone in a thirty year sentence, and when he returns to the street many look at him as if he's changed hearing that he's retired. Carlito just wants to get some money together, open a car dealership of sorts with a friend in the Bahamas, and works in a nightclub right smack dab in the heart of the coked up late 70's. As Carlito's tale unfolds, so does Kleinfeld's, as an inmate who's a client of his makes a demand that he can't turn down, which in turn brings a perpetually reluctant Carlito along with him. Carlito proves to be a complex character with a solid understanding of what's right and wrong, as well as very strong ambitions. These two traits are quite often opposed with one another, and it is in this conflict that De Palma brings out the best of Pacino. Somewhere along the way Carlito has won you to his cause, and despite the character flaws and set backs, you want to see him achieve his dream. But as the story unfolds, the stakes and risks are greater and his success seems less likely.

What I especially enjoyed in this movie was the narration Pacino had of Carlito in many crucial or pivotal parts of the script. Unlike many of his more well known and recognized roles, where Pacino had long brooding scenes, it was left to our imagination to often times wonder what the character was thinking. In Carlito's Way we are offered a glimpse into that thought process, and it is quite rewarding in fact. magnificent set-pieces that confirm De Palma's worth as a director of thrillers as well as dramas, this is an example of Hollywood movie-making that is waiting to be discovered over and over again, as proof of the value that can come in re-fashioning a genre piece.

almost a sequal to scarface..Carlito Brigante is Tony Montana after doing 15 yrs and having a change of heart...I cant beleive there wasnt some thinking on those lines from the actor and director of both movies...Sean Penn nearly steals this movie as David Kleinfeld Carlitos lawyer is more crooked than the crooks he defends..and Luis Guzmán as Pachanga shows why hes one of the best character actors working today...

The facts derivated from the story put us before a man who wants to get away his destiny , but (in a mgnificent shakesperian mood), nobody can escape from his past.
There's no doubt that this film has multiple virtues. Sean Penn grew up like actor al least two thousands steps. His role is so well made like the sinister lawyer without a drop of scruples, and this is the fate's arm that literally takes to Tony Montana and throws to hell.
In my personal view, I think Sean Penn deserved an Academy award by this role.
It's a sinister view about the redemption given by Montana since he leaves the jail.
Pacino gives one of his more relevant roles all along his career.
He gives us that crude sensation of walking in the edge of the knife through all the film. Will it be necessary to say that in this film like in others, Pacino is much more than an actor, he is a nature's force and elevates the standard performance of every one of his partners?.
Watch for instance one of my favorite beauties of the cinema: Penelope Ann Miller. Her role is so well made that this film literally gave to David Lynch the final decission for including her in Mulholland's drive.
There are several unforgettable sequences in the film. The first of these belongs to that claustrophobic situation in which we find Carlitos, when he decides to rescue the money of his beloved friend. In his honor code, Carlitos can not give a "no" like answer. And that's the road to his perdition.
The other anthology scene is that made in the hospital when he visits to the lawyer by last time. The slow camera describes all the movements of the false police who revenges to his father and we can see how the bullets are released by Carlitos just before.
The final shots camera in the chase when Carlitos has planned everything and runs with the clock dictating its final minutes. The angles of camera and the tension produced in the train station for me is above his tribute to Potemkin in "The untouchables".
Carlitos way is a cult movie. But also you can consider like the shakespeare spirit made present in what I would design together with Road to Perdition , the most original "film noir" movies in the last fifteen years.

and make sure it wasn't 1975 and I was late for high school. DePalma's got the mood and atmosphere so exact I was certain I could still get Chrysler stock at $3.00 a share. CARLITOS WAY is another Pacino character development exercise that probably would be better remembered had it not come on the heels of his Oscar winning work in SCENT OF A WOMAN. What is unforgettable is Penelope Ann Miller's stage/pole dance sequence (I can't listen to Cheryl Lynn's "Got To Be Real" the same way again). A lot of familiar faces from other Pacino work and the usual great half dozen quotable lines. Sean Penn deserved a Best Supporting Actor nomination...the high perm alone should have nailed it for him.

Al Pacino plays Carlito Bregante, an ex-con who is very famous for his previous crimes but is trying to lead a straight life. This is an excellent movie for anyone but a definite must see if you are an Al Pacino fan. Carlito slowly gets pulled back into the life he lead before because he is trying to help the people he cares about. I'm not gonna tell the whole story because I dont want to ruin it for those who havent seen it. But this is a great movie and I recommend it for everyone.

'Carlito's Way' is Al Pacino is a much lighter role than usual. Here, he is a former gangster trying to get rid of his past, but is then slowly pulled back into it. The moody athmosphere of the movie is great.

Ten years after director Brian De Palma first teamed with actor Al Pacino, for the landmark gangter epic Scarface, Carlito's Way is another powerful film.

Based on a pair of books by Edwin Torres, the film tells the story of Carlito Brigante, (Pacino) an ex-drug kingpin, who is tryng to go straight. After his Cokehead attorney David Kleinfeld (Sean Penn), gets him out of jail on a legal technicallity, all he wants is to live out his life with his girlfriend Gail (Penelope Ann Miller). This decision doesn't sit well with his former associates, who will do whatever it takes, to make him pay for his actions.

De Palma uses the same no holds barred style here, that he used on Scarface, for this gritty epic. Once again, Pacino becomes the character he plays and proves why he's one of this country's best actors. Penn is also very good here as well, as a man held hostage by his own shortcomings, even as he tries to help Brigante. The script from David Koepp (Panic Room, Spider-Man, and Jurassic Park) crackles with an intensity and raw power seldom seen and felt. De Palma capitalizes on the strengthes of the script with pitch perfect direction--Carlito's Way, along with Scarface, and The Untouchables, make for quite a De Palma crime trilogy.

First released as a "movie only" DVD, the collector's edition of the film, has just enough to hold a viewer's interest. "The Making of Carlito's Way" documentary has author Torres, De Palma, and others talking about the film. Sadly though, no cast member is present--and it shows, still documentary producer Laurent Bouzereau does a good job despite those limits. A fairly generous photo and poster gallery tops off the real extras. I would have liked to hear a commentary, or seen a deleted scene or two, to put the disc over the top.

Extra quibbles aside, Carlito's Way, is a must see.

This engaging and underrated drama from Brian De Palma tells the somewhat familiar but interesting story of Carlito (Al Pacino), an ex-con who tries to give his life a meaning and therefore avoids some earlier behaviours and habits. However, obstacles came across as his old "friends" get on his way creating a couple of difficult, tension-filled situations. Despite the predictability of the plot in some moments, this is still a very solid movie with a bunch of intriguing and moving scenes. Also, Sean Penn plays an unusual character worth taking a look at.

Practically everything about this movie is AWFUL!!!
This piece of crap is one of the worst flicks I've ever seen. It's probably the first of Pacino's worst films (his streak is still going strong)! I love Pacino's early work, but ever since this one, he REALLY started to suck. He should never try to impersonate a latino EVER again... His effort was simply offensive, esp. with all of the great hispanic actors out there practically begging for work. Another example of Hollywood at it's worst (and most obvious)... Stop the Madness!!!

And for those of you out there who think I'm so different from you, ya oughta' know that I even have a friend who's IN this movie, not to mention I love these TYPE of movies (i.e. The Godfather, Scarface, The Sopranos, Good Fellas, Traffic, etc.) AND most of all, I'm a HUGE Brian DePalma fan!

This was a great mob movie. Pacino is always at his best and in this movie he does a great acting again. For me this movie was scarface with a twist.