Carlito's Way

Name: Carlito's Way
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: November 12, 1993
Duration: 144 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Al Pacino, Sean Penn

1993

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 52 Ratings

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8.2

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8.2	User Score Universal acclaim based on 52 Ratings

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Carlito's Way

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: November 12, 1993 | R

Starring: Al Pacino, Sean Penn

Summary: A Puerto Rican former convict, 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 N.Y.C.

Director: Brian De Palma

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 144 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Zach Campbell

Though the story in Carlito’s Way is treated in a fatalistic sense, the moment-to-moment, frame-to-frame experience is anything but rigid and stodgy from over-determination. It sings, dances, punches, slinks, embeds. It moves like the luxurious tracking shots that punctuate the film. Read full review

R.L. Shaffer

Carlito's Way, like Casualties of War and Mission: Impossible, seems to stand at a nexus between commercial fealty and directorial idiosyncrasy; it's a sort of half-breed film that exudes personal vision but functions satisfactorily for the multiplex crowds at the same time. Read full review

Jay Boyar

Imagine the most exciting parts of The Fugitive but filmed with real moviemaking brio by director Brian De Palma (The Untouchables). [12 Nov 1993, p.20]

Staff (Not Credited)

Handsomely made, expertly directed and colorfully acted, it should satisfy action buffs and slightly more sophisticated audiences. That adds up to solid commercial prospects at home and abroad that are just shy of blockbuster returns. Read full review

Janet Maslin

Carlito's Way is best watched as lively, colorful posturing and as a fine demonstration of this director's bravura visual style. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Carlito's Way probably should have been a taut thriller, but choices by DePalma in both presentation and editing have hamstrung it. Read full review

Peter Travers

There’s a secondhand feel to the way this gangster movie delivers the goods. Carlito’s Way is haunted by a ghost from De Palma and Pacino’s past — Scarface. Read full review

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User Reviews

FrancisDG

Jun 12, 2019

Good movie, De Palma is a great director, I like him. Maybe its best movie!

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Eliosheesh

Aug 26, 2021

Obviously the best movie of Brian de Palma. And what a great performance by Al Pacino

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kyle20ellis

Mar 27, 2022

I was thoroughly impressed with Carlito's Way. So far it is my favourite Brian De Palma film alongside Carrie and The Untouchables. De Palma's direction itself is terrific, while some of the set pieces such as the pool fight, the 15-minute subway chase and the shenanigans on theI was thoroughly impressed with Carlito's Way. So far it is my favourite Brian De Palma film alongside Carrie and The Untouchables. De Palma's direction itself is terrific, while some of the set pieces such as the pool fight, the 15-minute subway chase and the shenanigans on the train-station escalator are among the best in any De Palma film.

The cinematography is excellent, the lighting is used in an interesting way and the scenery and locations are striking. In short, the film looks good. The soundtrack drives the film very well too, the script is smart and funny and the story is ceaselessly compelling. The pace is spot on, and the acting is very good. Al Pacino gives a suitably restrained performance which was a refreshing change from his excessive performance in Scarface, while the supporting cast have plenty of time to enjoy themselves.

In conclusion, a fine film. 10/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Voodoo123

Oct 17, 2021

CW was a decent gangster thriller with Pacino performing at his peak here. Sadly there isnt much else to set it apart from the countless others in this genre aside from just how effectively it is done here. The cinematography, direction, music, and cast are all decent. Worth a view for genre fans.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hamidgoodarzi

Mar 25, 2023

Irrevocable privacy Watching a movie for 144 minutes and not feeling tired at the end and enjoying watching the movie is definitely a sign of a great filmmaker. Brian De Palma is great as Carlito. The scenes are arranged with care and elegance. The mise-en-scène, filming and editing areIrrevocable privacy Watching a movie for 144 minutes and not feeling tired at the end and enjoying watching the movie is definitely a sign of a great filmmaker. Brian De Palma is great as Carlito. The scenes are arranged with care and elegance. The mise-en-scène, filming and editing are excellent. The film editing model is an educational class for those interested in cinema. The sequence of the train station and escalators is reminiscent of the movie "untouchables". De Palma and Al Pacino working together again is spectacular. "Sean Penn" has a unique game and is a candidate for this role. Overall, watching the movie is admirable and enjoyable.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

Oct 21, 2020

"Carlito's Way" finds "Scarface" collaborators Al Pacino and Brian De Palma reteaming within the realms of the crime epic. This time around, though, the wear and tear is evident, particularly in Pacino. From the misplaced accent, to the hammy voice-over work, his performance didn't really"Carlito's Way" finds "Scarface" collaborators Al Pacino and Brian De Palma reteaming within the realms of the crime epic. This time around, though, the wear and tear is evident, particularly in Pacino. From the misplaced accent, to the hammy voice-over work, his performance didn't really pass the smell test for me. Seemed like he was kind of phoning it in here. That being said, he's still watchable, with his innate charm and likability carrying you through the watch just so. A genuine shout-out has to go to Brian De Palma and his ability to film a frenetic set piece. The gunfights and chase scenes (particularly the one at the end of the film) are really terrific sights to see. I only wish there was as much attention put into the characters and drama. In longer movies like "The Godfather" or "Heat," even the tiniest of moments and characters feel significant. No time is wasted. Here, a lot of moments and characters either feel simply "there" or like a retread of something we've seen in a different film. I know it seems like I'm bagging on this movie a bit too much, but with names like Pacino and De Palma on a movie poster, you tend to expect more than this ended up being.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

arrivist

Apr 7, 2021

The film never takes flight. There's a lack of attention to detail. Carlito gets shot in the bar, then in the next shot he's fine. Penelope Ann Miler is pretty unbearable. Whining, ranting or blubbering throughout the entire run-length. Even her obnoxious dancing during the credits isThe film never takes flight. There's a lack of attention to detail. Carlito gets shot in the bar, then in the next shot he's fine. Penelope Ann Miler is pretty unbearable. Whining, ranting or blubbering throughout the entire run-length. Even her obnoxious dancing during the credits is annoying. Sean Penn is pretty good as the scumbag lawyer, and although Pacino does his best with a lightweight script and dull dialogue, but he's just phoning it in and ends up coming off as a parody of himself. The ending is quite strong and the tension is palpable, but yet another plot hole does away with it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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