Al Pacino, Ingrid Rogers, John Leguizamo

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.

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88% liked it

101,301 ratings

Critics

81% liked it

32 critics

R, 2 hrs. 24 min.

Directed by: Brian DePalma

Release Date: January 1, 1993

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DVD Release Date: May 26, 1998

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Stats: 4,769 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,769)


  • September 4, 2009
    Peer pressures a bitch ain't it! Pacino and Penn on great form and one of DePalma's best.
  • May 3, 2009
    Carlito's Way starring Al Pacino, Penelope Ann Miller and John Leguizamo is a good drama. Pacino plays an ex con whom is trying to stay on the right side of the track and meets a beautiful young lady...I really enjoyed this movie.
  • December 28, 2008
    Carlito: "I'm reloaded! Okay? Come on in here, you motherfuckers! Come on, I'm waitin' for ya! What, you ain't comin' in? Okay, I'm comin' out! Oh, you up against me now, motherfuckers! I'm gonna blow your fuckin' brains out! You think you're big time? You gonna fuckin' die bi...( read more)g time! You ready? HERE COMES THE PAIN!"

    Al Pacino is Carlito Brigante, a high-level Puerto Rican drug dealer sprung from a three-decade jail sentence after only five years, thanks to a technicality and his sleazy, cocaine-addled lawyer, Dave Kleinfeld (Sean Penn). Carlito renounces his previous ways and takes a job as the manager of a club that Kleinfeld has invested in, planning to save enough money so that he can eventually move to the Caribbean. But no sooner is Carlito back on the streets of New York than his old life claws at him in the form of both old partners (Luis Guzman) and vicious up-and-comers (John Leguizamo). Nevertheless, Carlito stays clean and even restarts his relationship with a dancer named Gail (Penelope Ann Miller), until he is finally led astray by Kleinfeld, who manipulates Carlito into participating in the murder of a Mafia don from whom Kleinfeld has stolen a million dollars. At that point, the race is on to see whether Carlito and Gail can escape his world for good.

    Review
    Once again, one of the greatest actors of our time teams up with one of the greatest directors. Ther combination must surely be as good as, if not better than, Scorsese and De Niro. First the excellent Scarface, and then Carlito's Way, a film that blew me away when I first saw it. Pacino's portrayal of ex-gangland boss and drug dealer Carlito Brigante is powerful, moving and at times very funny. Combined with great performances from Sean Penn and Penelope Ann Miller, this film is a roller-coaster ride of "will he, won't he" tension and heavy , though not gratuitous, violence. So swept away do we get in Carlito's struggle that we actually forget that he's dying at the beginning of the film, and are praying that he'll make it by the end. This is a masterstroke from De Palma and a salute to the powerful and mesmeric acting of one Alfredo Pacino. A modern classic - this film has everything you could want. Love, loyalty, betrayal, sadness, comedy, and most importantly of all - balls.
  • November 26, 2008
    How has this film eluded me the past 15 years???

    I love mob/gangster movies, and this is one of the best. Al Pacino plays tough-as-nails gangster Carlito who is trying to change his ways since recently being exonerated from prison by his low-life attorney (played by Sean Penn)

    ...( read more). However, Carlito is unable to escape his past.

    Carlito's Way is directed by mobster afficianado Brian DePalma, who also directed Scarface. Everything about this film is authentic NY mobster's way of living. I'm one of those people who is intrigued by this genre, and DePalma is King of his craft. He masterfully sets the mood in this film.

    Al Pacino is an icon of mobsters. I have a hard time believing he is NOT a mobster in real life because he does it so perfectly... it's like second nature to him. However, I'm not going to jump on the Sean Penn bandwagon on this film. I think he was horribly cast here. He was annoying and unconvincing. I believe he is a top-notch actor, but I wasn't impressed with his earlier roles such as this one. Luis Guzman plays his stereotypical token good-guy sidekick mafia well. I loved John Leguizamo's small role ... he's an incredibly underrated actor.

    The only downside to this film (and DePalma's films in general) is that it's a bit long-winded. Some lengthy scenes were rather unnecessary and could have been edited out. Also the notion of disbelief in reality must be present, because in this film cops either (1) don't exist or (2) don't do anything to protect citizens or to punish criminals. Most of the hits in this film were done in broad daylight with witnesses and cameras (like in the hospital).

    Overall, if you're a fan of mob/gangster movies then you should definitely check this out. The gun battles are exciting, the mobsters are slick and cool, the pace is thrilling, the plot is rich with turns, and the women are very attractive.

  • August 30, 2008
    Al. Pacino. was. awesome. He made this movie for sure. The acting overall was phenomenal. One of the best movies I've ever seen.
  • November 20, 2009
    Best Supporting actor 1993
  • November 4, 2009
    very nice photography and great performance of the actors, especially Sean Penn
  • November 2, 2009
    slow in parts, but the acting sings man. Great performances
  • October 26, 2009
    Pacino and Penn.That`s it.Check it
  • October 22, 2009
    Great gangster flick.1 of my favorite movies

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Carlito's Way Trivia


  • Tagline: "Once youre in,there's no way out"  Answer »
  • Sean Penn and Al Pacino play best friends in which film?  Answer »
  • Who directed "Phantom of Paradise", "Dressed to Kill", "The Untouchables", "The Black Dahlia", "Casualties of War", "Carlito's Way" and "Mission: Impossible"?  Answer »
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