Rent Carlito's Way (1993)
4.0 of 5 from 248 ratings
2h 18min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Sprung from prison on a legal technicality by his cocaine-addled attorney (Sean Penn), former drug kingpin Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino) stuns the local underworld when he vows to go straight. Taking a job managing a glitzy, low-life nightclub, he tracks down his onetime girlfriend (Penelope Ann Miller) and rekindles their romance, promising he's changed for good. But Carlito's dream of going legitimate is undermined at every turn by murderous former cronies and even deadlier young thugs out to make a name for themselves. Ultimately, however, his most dangerous enemy is himself. Despite good intentions, Carlito's misguided loyalties and an outmoded code of 'honour' will plunge him into a savage life-or-death battle against the relentless forces that refuse to let him go. - Actors:
- Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, John Leguizamo, Ingrid Rogers, Luis Guzmán, James Rebhorn, Joseph Siravo, Viggo Mortensen, Richard Foronjy, Jorge Porcel, Frank Minucci, Adrian Pasdar, John Ortiz, Ángel Salazar, Al Israel, Rick Aviles, Jaime Sánchez, Edmonte Salvato, Paul Mazursky
- Directors:
- Brian De Palma
- Producers:
- Martin Bregman, Michael Bregman, Willi Bär
- Writers:
- Edwin Torres, David Koepp
- Studio:
- Universal Pictures
- Genres:
- Drama, Thrillers
- Collections:
- Films by Genre, Gangster films & Trilogies, Getting to Know..., Getting to Know: Al Pacino, The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to: Brian De Palma, Top 10 Films About Trains: Thrillers, Top Films
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 11/10/2010
- Run Time:
- 144 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French DTS 5.1, Japanese DTS 5.1, Spanish DTS 5.1
- Subtitles:
- Cantonese, Danish, Dutch, English Hard of Hearing, Finnish, French, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Deleted Scenes
- Brian De Palma on Carlito's Way - Get an insider's perspective with the Director
- The Making of Carlito's Way - In-depth Interviews with cast and Crew reveal Carlito's journey from novel to screen
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 25/10/2021
- Run Time:
- 144 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS:X, French DTS 5.1, Japanese DTS 5.1, Spanish DTS 5.1, Thai DTS 2.0 Mono
- Subtitles:
- Cantonese, Complex Mandarin, Danish, English Hard of Hearing, Finnish, French, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Deleted Scenes
- The Making of 'Carlito's Way'
- Brian De Palma on 'Carlito's Way'
- Original Promotional Featurette
- Theatrical Trailer
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Reviews (4) of Carlito's Way
Al Pacino's quest for love and redemption in 1970s New York - Carlito's Way review by Philip in Paradiso
In 1975, in New York, Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino) is released on a technicality after serving 5 years in jail, out of a 35-year prison sentence. His lawyer, Dave Kleinfeld (Sean Penn), who is also a close friend, has been instrumental in getting Carlito out of jail. When he comes out of prison, Carlito vows never to go back to his earlier life of crime, despite the incredulity of his former contacts in the Puerto Rican community and the drug-trafficking world. Carlito also attempts to get back in touch with Gail (Penelope Ann Miller), a ballet dancer who also performs in strip clubs to make ends meet. The story develops from there.
The film is about redemption or, rather, what happens when a hardened criminal (Carlito) tries to redeem himself and move away from crime, despite all those individuals from his past around him who, directly or not, are still involved in a range of criminal activities. The film is also about lost love and what happens when a man tries to resume a relationship he had with a woman (here, Gail), before he was thrown into jail. These themes are not that original in themselves: they are found in the film 'Heat', for instance.
All the same, this is an excellent thriller and, in many ways, a great classic of the genre. I do not agree that the story is implausible. Overall, it is quite convincing, and the chemistry between Al Pacino and Penelope Ann Miller feels quite real: each one, in his (or her) own way, is lost and drifting, between his (or her) dreams and the harsh reality around them, and each one seeks in the other the help that he (or she) needs in order to escape from their surroundings. The movie is also very good at creating an atmosphere - that of New York, its nightclubs, its gangsters, and so on. Finally, there are some memorable scenes that will stay with you, and I do not want to say any more in order not to spoil the story.
In my view, an excellent thriller.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Superb. Good story, good acting, good sense of humour. - Carlito's Way review by CP Customer
A great acheivement for everyone involved. So many memorable and enjoyable scenes. This is what Tarantino is forever aspiring to. Great music throughout, including good instrumental scores and good use of modern (well, not any more) popular music. Sean Penn a superb and very hatable anti-hero, and Pacino as good as ever. Towards the end gets a bit wacky, as can be expected from de Palma (not intended particularly as a criticism).
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Lacks credibility - Carlito's Way review by JD
The plot/acting is frequently unbelievable in little ways. The relationship with a dancer which has inconsistent emotion and is hugely under acted. The murder of a powerful gangster while high on cocaine lacks drama and steam. Generally trips along and maintains interest but lacks any depth of acting.
1 out of 4 members found this review helpful.