Director: Brian de Palma
Starring: Al Pacino, Viggo Mortensen and Sean Penn
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors which achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Al Pacino. Following his rise to fame in the 1970’s, Pacino has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s cruel gangsters, political leaders or drug abusers, Pacino has played many compelling characters. Arguably, Pacino’s best strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has always poured his heart and soul into every role. An actor with a powerful screen presence, Pacino has created many movies earning a huge audience. While he is best known for his renowned role in The Godfather series, Pacino has proven he has an ability to excel in every genre. Through abilities to play characters that are compelling, Pacino has built a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout a strong career, Pacino has made several bold movies that are definitely worth taking about without a doubt.
I’m a big fan of Pacino and admire all the films he has made in his career. However, “Carlito’s Way” is definitely my favourite. Following its release in 1993, Brian de Palma’s movie has stood the test of time as a bold crime classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it is one of the best crime movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Al Pacino, who portrays a criminal enduring sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Carlito’s Way” a crime classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing mob masterpiece, there are many strong reasons why “Carlito’s Way” is a movie which is worth seeing.
Set in 1980’s New York City, “Carlito’s Way” tells the story of a criminal facing a price to pay. Al Pacino portrays Carlito Brigante, an adventurous criminal that seeks to leave his crime lifestyle causing sorrow. After spending many years in prison, Carlito has given up his dream of a criminal lifestyle causing tensions. However, Carlito’s life forever changes when he is drawn back into the criminal underworld causing disaster. Reconnecting with his former partner gangster Dave Kleinfeld (Sean Penn), Carlito seeks to commit crime causing tension. As he starts to uncover shocking secrets about being a gangster, Carlito is forced to question whether he can survive in a profession causing disaster. Discovering being a gangster comes o painful price to pay, Carlito struggles to find a way.
Brian De Palma is fascinated with the stories of gangsters experiencing trauma. A fantastic filmmaker, De Palma has often made strong movies about dark gangsters that engage in criminal behaviour. His iconic film “Scarface” captured a gangster having obstacles to face. With “Carlito’s Way”, however, De Palma made his first adaptation. It was the director’s first attempt to adapt a legendary book about grim gangsters facing adversity but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, De Palma captures a gangster that engages in a life of crime causing adversity. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, De Palma deftly uses point of view shots to capture hardships gangsters go through. For instance, point of view shots elevate the murder scene. During this unforgettable scene, Carlito commits a murder in a public restaurant that comes with consequences causing tension. Through point of view shots, De Palma creates a gangster audiences relate to. POV shots are tricky to use in movies. As Tony Scott’s “Crimson Tide” suggested, POV shots enhance films about submarines. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through stunning visuals, De Palma captures tensions that gangsters engaging in a criminal lifestyle are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Carlito’s Way” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. De Palma effectively uses costume design to capture gangsters enduring a decline. Throughout the movie, De Palma uses costumes to showcase Carlito’s transformations into a dangerous gangster. For instance, costumes elevate the business meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Carlito has a dark business meet with David causing tensions. Through stunning costume, De Palma crafts a gangster that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Patrick Doyle’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which criminals bear. Through stunning production, De Palma captures gangsters facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Carlito’s Way” is a crime movie which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, effectively using flashbacks to capture the lives of grim gangsters experiencing tension. Throughout the movie, De Palma effectively uses flashbacks to capture the grim lives of gangsters haunted by violence. For instance, flashbacks enhance the childhood memories scene. During this unforgettable scene, Carlito recalls sad memories of facing violence as a child which caused lifelong tension. Through bold flashbacks, De Palma creates a portrait o f gangsters that audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Peter Weir’s “Witness” suggested, flashbacks enhance murder mystery movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through an exceptional screenplay, De Palma captures the lives of gangsters experiencing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Al Pacino delivers one of his greatest career performances as Carlito. Pacino first earned appreciation for playing menacing gangsters in crime films. With “Carlito’s Way”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a criminal that engages in a life of crime causing adversities but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Pacino has often excelled at playing emotional heroes in danger, and “Carlito’s Way” demonstrated his strengths as an actor. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, grief and determination of a criminal facing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Al Pacino, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of appreciation. Sean Penn is truly spectacular, capturing dedication of a criminal engaging in a dangerous lifestyle that causes tension. Viggo Mortensen is magnificent, and captures the tension of a gangster struggling to let go of his past sorrow. Lastly, Penelope Ann Miller merits appreciation. As a woman in a life of crime, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Carlito’s Way” will earn appreciations of everyone for capturing gangsters struggling to find their way. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as identity, family and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the book to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Carlito’s Way” is one of those rare gangster movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Al Pacino would appreciate “Carlito’s Way” and so will movie-goers seeking strong entertainment. A captivating crime classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about a gangster struggling to find a way, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has gained a huge following through his abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies which are definitely worth celebrating today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 