Carlito's Way (1993)

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 | Puerto Rican | Violence | Drugs | Dancer

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:

The name of Carlito's (Al Pacino's) nightclub is "El Paraíso", the same name as the food stand that Pacino's character operated in Scarface (1983).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Near the end of the film when Carlito is getting his money from the lockbox under the bar, he opens it to see 2 stacks of $100 bills. The face pictured on the bills is not Benjamin Franklin, but Ulysses S. Grant, who should be on the $50 bill.

Quotes:

Carlito: Never give up your friends, Dave, no matter what.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Layer Cake (2004)

Soundtrack:

Alma Con Alma

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