Al Pacino does it "Carlito's Way" in this 1993 film, also starring Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, John Leguizamo, with Adrian Pasdar and Viggo Mortensen in small roles. Directed by Brian de Palma, as others point out, it is inevitable to compare it to Scarface. However, each film deserves to stand on its own.
Pacino here plays Carlito Brigante, an ex-drug lord who, when he gets out of prison, decides to go straight. The story is told in flashback. He needs $75,000 to buy into a car rental business with a friend of his in Florida. To get the money, he agrees to manage a sleazy nightclub. Well, going straight turns out to be not that easy. He has a cocaine-addicted lawyer (Sean Penn) with his own problems -- problems that affect Charlie (Carlito) negatively. Not to mention the fact that the people around him assume that he wants back in, when he doesn't. And he has to convince the girl he left behind (Miller) that he's changed and get her back into his life. It's all a big struggle.
Truly excellent film with the usual de Palma violence, but the story is well told and the characters are fleshed out and interesting. Pacino is fantastic as a conflicted man who wants to help his friends but is determined to go straight. Sean Penn matches him in an excellent performance - these truly are two of our greatest actors. Penelope Ann Miller does a great job. Her character is in love with Charlie -- in fact, they're soulmates, but she can't bear to be around him if he hasn't gotten out of the life.
A great script, fine direction, wonderful performances, a great soundtrack, great cinematography, a must see. Carlito's Way is suspenseful in spots, less violent than Scarface, and it's not as action-filled as Scarface because it also deals with a love story. Very compelling filmmaking.
Pacino here plays Carlito Brigante, an ex-drug lord who, when he gets out of prison, decides to go straight. The story is told in flashback. He needs $75,000 to buy into a car rental business with a friend of his in Florida. To get the money, he agrees to manage a sleazy nightclub. Well, going straight turns out to be not that easy. He has a cocaine-addicted lawyer (Sean Penn) with his own problems -- problems that affect Charlie (Carlito) negatively. Not to mention the fact that the people around him assume that he wants back in, when he doesn't. And he has to convince the girl he left behind (Miller) that he's changed and get her back into his life. It's all a big struggle.
Truly excellent film with the usual de Palma violence, but the story is well told and the characters are fleshed out and interesting. Pacino is fantastic as a conflicted man who wants to help his friends but is determined to go straight. Sean Penn matches him in an excellent performance - these truly are two of our greatest actors. Penelope Ann Miller does a great job. Her character is in love with Charlie -- in fact, they're soulmates, but she can't bear to be around him if he hasn't gotten out of the life.
A great script, fine direction, wonderful performances, a great soundtrack, great cinematography, a must see. Carlito's Way is suspenseful in spots, less violent than Scarface, and it's not as action-filled as Scarface because it also deals with a love story. Very compelling filmmaking.