I've watched every movie Pacino has ever been in or acted in and I have to put "Carlito's way" at the top 10 of his movie list. In my opinion it surpasses even "Scarface" as far as the over all artistic quality of the film and acting. Sorry folks! I know a lot of you love Scarface, but if you watch a younger Pacino in "Panic in Needle park," or "Scarecrow" you will see a much more engaged and talented actor.
I liked Carlito's way because it showed Pacino's incredible character range in portraying a Nuyorican in the 70s era. Not only was he believable, but he did it with a beautiful flare. It had a perfect musical score and the cinematography was excellent. I couldn't ask for much more except I would've liked for the film to cover the book in it's entirety. Instead of just basing the film on the second half of the book, "After hours" they should have did "Carlito's way" and "After hours." That's my only complaint. So, in closing the movie wasn't perfect, but it definitely shows Pacino's talent as an actor.

CARLITO'S WAY (1993) has the same feel of having been created by a genius,
and perhaps is Brian de Palma's answer to Francis Ford Coppola's work,
ONE FROM THE HEART, 10 years after the fact. Many aspects appeal to the crowd,
ranging from the powerful story, the nostalgia, the sensual and sentimental spects
to action and ruthless underworld scenes.

There are many parallels, one being the excellent wide-screen filming quality and the
script itself, wherein a gangster reviews his past life in the ghetto, dealing narcotics and surviving
the violence of the streets, and builds a continuity to that as he's released from his
penal term, and juggles various tasks, such as staying out of the grasp of law enforcement,
staying alive in face of deadly rivals all intertwined with various lush and spectacular settings,
such as night clubs showcasing charismatic girls (strippers, waitresses), in between gambling,
and memorable other scenes (sunsets, etc.)

The film is boosted by Penelope Ann Miller, whose presence alone in the picture works wonders,
as she interacts with Carlito ( Al Pacino) and plays a sensual, adventurous yet vulnerable young
woman who is skilled in creating the illusion of love on st his hard edged, natural
personality from his gangster days, with a humanity and personal longing for romance.

The music ( Latino rhythms and 70's dance classics) , coupled with the staff and the way the club
scene is laid out, draws the audience into the action from the realism of all those aspects, if not
for the importance given to the cash flows generated by the actual night club, managed by Carlito.

Sean Penn is perhaps at his best as an actor, playing a substance addicted attorney
with a high risk clientele operating in the underworld (weapons, rubouts, substance trafficking,
gangsterism, gambling, money laundering, etc, who lacks scruples in the way he conducts his
legal assistance operations, at the same time being successful in getting an acquittal for his clients.

The strength of the script is its attention to detail, such as a well rooted street knowledge, and vocabulary, bringing into focus old territory rivalries of Latinos, Italian-Americans, Porto Ricans, Black Harlem, the stigma of stool pigeons, the double cross, the drug burn, and more. Clearly, in that world,
lives are a second thought when dealt with by simpletons on the street. Another essential ingredient, the confidential informant carrying a wire hired to get information from Pacino for FBI and DA, through privileged access as a childhood friend, is very real.

Effort is made to show the challenge of one balancing one's own cultural identity, origins and job with convincing a girl to build a life together who has a different lifestyle and track record.

The story articulates quite well the emotional impact of a con being released from the Big HOuse
after a 5 year term, comparing street life before and after the term and the counseling received as a con.

The repercussions of embezzlement ( the guns and lime pit waiting and ready, and contract) is not ambiguous as the victims tend to want to do justice by their own hands.

At the end of the day, Carlito (despite his upbringing), still is in disbelief on how ready some people are to double-cross their intimate friends, for profit, despite all perceived bonds of love, loyalty, friendship and trust ( rare commodities indeed.) "Saving your own skin" is the lesson, and he sees that the more things change, the most they stay the same.

The movie has a great action and suspense finale, with a perhaps too predictable guy- tries- to- get- the girl outcome and live happily-ever-after.

We see Carlito's traumatic fate at the very beginning of the film, but how does one who so ambitiously wants to leave the former gangster life in the past and move on with himself still manage to end up here. This is the tale, and what a story it is. Al Pacino gives a memorable performance, and Sean Penn is right there behind him. Carlito (Pacino) is released after 5 years for a 30 year sentence from the help of his lawyer and best friend (Penn). Carlito has been given the opportunity to own a piece of a nightclub, where he can progressively earn enough money to get the amount he needs to get away to the Bahamas, once and for all, where there he can live out a simple dream and leave the past behind. From the near get-go, the kind heart of Carlito can't say no to his young cousin when he is asked to stay by his side during a deal. The deal goes wrong and Carlito is already finding himself back in old times, but refuses to keep his dreams from not succeeding. One after another, old pals re-apear, but it's the story behind the Sean Penn character that gets things really going, and when Carlito is reunited with his old flame (Penelope Ann Miller) the story becomes intense, suspensful, engaging and never ever lets up. For the first hour, the movie is at its slowest (though never boring) and then shoots into high gear then on out. Thankfully, the fire never loses its fuel, as this is one of those films that happily gets better and better until a very exciting, very suspenseful chase scene climax. Just when you think the height of the excitement and story has been reached, there's still more on it's way. Carlito's Way is a fantastic film that is sad in a sense, but states a sad truth. More-so, this is just fantastic entertainment pulled off by a superb performance from Pacino, and a great director Brian de Palma (Scarface).

Acting - 5
Action/Suspense - 5
Characters - 5
Story - 5
Overall - 5

I've already ordered this minor classic from an outfit in Canada which is closing out their HD DVD selections and reducing their prices as low as $5.99!! Compared to the duo's "Scarface", this little film noir gem hits practically all the right notes- Pacino's authenic Cuban accent, the great supporting cast including a disguised Sean Penn as a corruptible lawyer to a very young John Leguziamo as a young and up coming hood and Viggo Mortenson as a wheel-chaired bound turncoat. The plot may be old hat---a mobster just released from prison tries to go straight but is prevented from having that life from unseen forces around him--but the execution is grade A!! For once Pacino plays a sympathetic character and the story is poignant and heartbreaking when he is unable to break free from the criminal life in order to marry his girlfriend (Penelope Anne Miller). I've heard that this film is excellent in HD DVD and for now it is only available in that Hi-def format but when it'll be released in Blu-ray--who knows? But at the bargain price of $7.99 versus the higher price that will be going in Blu-ray, why wait. Grab this one before it goes out of print in HD and you won't regret it!!

Timeless cult movie brilliantly restored and preserved in highest quality possible today - 5.1 audio and Full HD video. What more can You want?