kamalapurs This is one Al movie which I like the most. Portrayal of Carlitos struggle to go clean is fantastic. Ultimately his struggle is in vain.

batterypark123 Where Scarface was about a South American battling his way to the top of the crime world, Carlito's Way is about a South American gangster trying to leave his past behind him. The story is very good and believable, the problems for Carlito (Al Pacino) are very typical for someone in his position and the relationships are all very convincing. The fact that Edwin Torres based his characters on real people and that events in the film are inspired by real life, really help Carlito's Way to be a credible film. The fact that it is Carlito's lawyer, Kleinfeld (Sean Penn), who got him out of prison and then becomes a loose cannon who provides Carlito with too many problems is a great illustration of respect and excess going to someone's head.The performances in this film are extremely strong. Al Pacino is one of the best actors ever to be witnessed and is on outstanding form here. The beard, shades and long coat are a very good look for him and definitely provide him with one of his most fashionable roles to date. What is most convincing in this performance is his charm towards Gail (Penelope Ann Miller) as the audience, along with Gail, fall for him instantly, despite knowing his past. His scenes with Sean Penn are also amongst the films strong points because it always good to see Pacino act angry. The dialogue between these two is exceptional and really highlights how strongly Carlito's Way is written. Sean Penn does not let Pacino outclass him and gives one of his strongest performances. As an arrogant coke head, Penn portrays a character who is really repulsive and dislikeable and incites a great sense of hatred from the audience. Penelope Ann Miller does well to give the film feeling and bring it down to earth. It is pleasurable to watch her inner conflicts regarding Carlito as she pulls off the emotional scenes very professionally and is very effective at drawing out an emotional response from the audience. Luis Guzman and John Leguizamo are the two most memorable characters from the supporting cast, they both fit specific niches very well and both give great performances. It was nice to see Adrian Pasdar in the film, shame he wasn't in it for longer as the writers could have made something more out of his character.My only negative criticism of the film is that it could have done with a touch more action. Gangster films are at their most exciting when there is a high drama shootout but Carlio's Way only has two major action scenes. Luckily, the content is good enough to make up for this. The two shootouts are very good scenes, especially the last one as the tension build up is so intense.Stylish, realistic and stimulating, Carlito's Way would be a classic gangster film, had it not been overshadowed and over compared to Scarface. All the ingredients are right to serve up a fantastic film.

Sara Neves This movie is beautiful! I saw it when I was really young and I will never forget it, it marked me forever. Al Pacino's voice sounds just fine here, and all of the other actors played their role really well. Great movie aesthetic as well. Amazing photography and colors. Very good job.

GertrudeStern Ever taken a vow (think religion, marriage or New Years resolution) that just felt impossible to keep? Carlito did.CW traces the true rehabilitation of Carlito Brigante (played by Al Pacino), a Puerto Rican drug lord, incarcerated, then sprung through a technicality after a five year prison sentence that he was rightfully charged for.You might expect a guy like that, who is given a new lease on life through paperwork and not true justice, would return to his old wrongdoings. But Carlito's goals are pure: he's going to move to "paradise" and become a car rental agency worker. His first step to realizing this dream? Raising 75 grand from taking over the club of a debtor that is called -- I'm not kidding -- El Paradiso. In the setting of the club, in the darkened corners of his old neighborhood, try as he might to eschew his old lifestyle, the past proves a slippery fish to release for old Carlito.Carlito's struggle is deep -- he feels disconnected to the world outside, in part because he feels like everything else -- the faces, the names, the businesses -- have changed, and in part because he feels unrecognized for who he has become -- a man apart from the Carlito the old familiar faces want him to be.De Palma and the producers are in love with the outside / inside motif, and use every chance they can to leave Carlito out in the rain, wistfully watching ballerinas through long windows. Top-shelf cinematography. Sean Penn stars as Carlito's Jewish lawyer, Kleinfeld, and honestly, after all of the Sean Penn flicks I've seen, I had absolutely zero idea it was him until mid-way through the film. Set to a score by Patrick Doyle, the opening credits alone warrant reason to put this on. Carlito's Way is such a good flick that you might actually feel selfish if you watch it on your lonesome.