Carlito's Way (1993)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

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 | Violence | Drugs | Puerto Rican | Murder

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

Colour:

Black and White | Colour

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:

Bregman/Baer Productions

Trivia:

Carlito's Way is adapted from the novel "After Hours" by 'Edwin Torres'. However, it took the title from Torres' first novel about the rise of crime boss Carlos Brigante so that it would not be confused with Martin Scorsese's New York club-based comedy-drama, After Hours (1985).

Goofs:

Errors in geography: A sign that reads "242nd Street Bronx/South Ferry Manhattan" is visible on the subway car when Carlito heads to Grand Central station. The sign indicates that he is on is the 1 line which does not go to Grand Central.

Quotes:

Pachanga: Hey, Carlito. Lalin is here. He's in the office.
Carlito: Lalin?
Pachanga: Yeah, you wanna see him?
Carlito: You told me he was doin' thirty years.
Pachanga: Well, I guess he got out!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Making of 'Carlito's Way' (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Che Che Cole

Great story, great acting

Right well I can say this is one of my favourite gangster films ever, and I truly regard it almost as highly as good fellas or the godfather.

This is simply because of the way the story catches you. Pacino delivers an excellent performance (do you really expect any less from him?) as the main guy Carlito who just wants out of the whole gangster game. By his side is the almost unrecognisable Sean Penn. An afro wearing cocaine addict who just seems determined to lure Carlito back into the kind of world he is trying to leave.

This film is easy to enjoy with a great story and a great cast. And if you look carefully enough you can see a young Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn from lord of the rings in case you don't know) as a crippled low life. Made me chuckle.

Anyways, i give this movie 10/10