Review of Carlito's Way (1993) by Michael C — 27 Dec 2010

A great gangster film that strays from the usual films of this type in that the central gangster of the film is really attempting to be a better man. Pacino doesn't play up the sinister, decadent intentions he had in Scarface.

Here, as Carlito, he is a man just out of prison who just wants to make enough money, legally and responsibly, to own a car rental place on an exotic island and live peacefully. Yet Carlito finds it is his most admirable trait, his honor and loyalties to those from his past, that doom him to tragedy.

Director Brian DePalma I find to be overrated when he is placed in the pantheon of Scorsese and Coppola and the other greats, but while I don't think he is as masterful as them he has moments where he makes good, engaging pictures.

This film would certainly qualify as one of those moments. Honor and loyalty are both admirable qualities, but the film also shows how it can be destructive when it is provided to the wrong people. Someone else that deserves special mention is Sean Penn.

Playing a sleazy lawyer in this film, Penn is such a repulsive figure that you continue to loathe him with each passing scene, and it is a great performance from a terrific actor. Unlike most films where you are convinced to root for the corrupt actions of a gangster, in this film you root for Carlito to maintain his innocence and purity post-jail, all the while knowing his past will not allow this to happen.