Carlito's Way

Great film. Excellent story. Great acting. Highly recommended. Thanks. 5*

I'm not gonna review the movie. It's an underrated masterpiece only because it came out in the same period as other gangster movies and I honestly prefer it to Scarface due to its multi-level story, characters, dialogs and it not trying to be Scarface. And Arrow releases are the best releases that are not steelbooks. I had a chance to buy a steelbook for the same price but I went with this one because although it's the same 4K transfer, it does have a few new extra features that were never released before in other editions and the new artwork is just stunning. These tend to sell out pretty quick so get it while you can at a "normal" price.

This film seems to be overshadowed by other Pacino gangster masterpieces, but rest assured it's on a par with the others. Al is absolutely majestic as Carlito, the ex-con who tries to make a normal life for himself after being released early from a 30-stretch. Unfortunately for him, the lawyer friend who got him out is a gangster-wannabee who attracts trouble and Carlito just can't help getting involved. Despite being a gangster film, and directed by De Palma at that, there's relatively little violence, although when it comes it tends to be bloody and brutal. The film is mostly about Carlito's struggle to stay straight whilst amassing enough cash to get to a normal job in the Bahamas, but he just can't escape the past and others' expectations of him. It's only natural to root for the guy as he tries to reach his goal, even if there are a few bumps in the road, despite knowing from the start of the film that the odds are against him. The ending in Grand Central Station was tense and exciting and had Hitchcock written all over it. As for the bluray, the picture quality is a definite step up from the dvd, but there's not much happening with the sound, despite the shootings. Still well worth the upgrade, in my opinion.

I’m not usually a fan of gangster/crime film, and really the only exceptions are 1995’s ‘Casino’ and Brian De Palma’s hugely entertaining ‘Carlito’s Way’ not least because it has one of the best choreographed, edited and scored finales of the 1990’s. Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino) is a gangster just released from prison thanks to his lawyer (Sean Penn). Genuinely determined to escape from his old life and build something new, while also reconnecting with his former love, Carlito finds that forces and events outwith his control may threaten that plan…. Picture quality is excellent though, bright and vibrant bringing everything up in a nice shine. The colours are vivid and makes a well photographed film look terrific. Packaging is nice, in a solid enough cardboard box containing the disc box, plus the booklet of essays and art poster. On the discs themselves though extras are a little more mixed. There’s really only one full commentary (a new 2023 one) as the other commentary is highly scene specific covering only the opening portion of the film and then the last 10 mins or so. Truthfully neither are really worth going over more than once. After that there’s a mix of old and new interviews, featurettes, image galleries etc.

One of the best Pacino films (IMHO) directed by Brian De Palma ( Scarface) . A tale of greed, vengeance and love. Great supporting role by Sean Penn

This film has it all - love, violence, morality, action, and shows off the talents of Al Pacino and Sean Penn who elevate this film into the classic bracket. To think it was made as recently as 1994 is surprising, as it seems to take its inspiration from the 70s and 80s dramas in the way the narrative takes precedence over commercial branding. The opening scene, with the 360 degree camera, neon lighting, Al Pacino narration, `welcome to paradise sign' and the emotionally charged music of Joe Cocker's `You are so beautiful' is what this film is all about! When it ties it up at the end, it left me in no doubt that I'd just watched a film that packs a punch and is worthy of several re-watches. The poignancy and tragedy of Carlito is there for all to see and Al Pacino nails it. From the courthouse scene where he declares he is `completely rehabilitated, reinvigorated, and reassimilated' to his sense of loyalty to friends and the quixotic realisation that some dreams are out of reach - he is a great `everyman' cinema character. Top stuff.

Happy with item many thanks

Not one of Pacino's more highlighted movies but for me a cracking watch. Everybody on form here, from Pacino playing a slightly sympathetic ex-convict who just wants to retire to the sun, Sean Penn playing his sleazy lawyer who won't let him, to Penelope Ann Miller as his great love. Great performances from the supporting cast also and a superb ending...Miller dancing on the beach in the evening sun...God, he was that close!

Steelbook inglés con castellano de Carlitos way ( o el precio del poder en España)!! Diseño chulisimo para esta obra maestra de brain de palma con al pacino que se sale!

Foi presente, a pedido do aniversariante. Como ele já conhecia, gostou.

A longtime fan of Al Pacino, I saw "Carlito's Way" when it first came out, in 1993. Even back then, it was apparent to me that I was watching something very special. Since then, I've literally seen the movie hundreds of times, and it remains one of my all-time favorite films. The plot summary has been covered many times here, so I'll just stick to my comments. I think "Carlito's Way" is Brian DePalma's finest hour as a filmmaker. I could never understand the lukewarm critical response it received, though, ironically, time has been very kind to it. A lot of critics dismissed it as a second-rate follow-up to "Scarface"--which, interestingly, was also panned upon its release--but it possesses a depth and resonance that "Scarface" (or any of DePalma's other films, for that matter) just can't match. Having grown up in Queens, New York, in the 1970s--and having run with a pretty tough crowd--I was stunned at how well DePalma captured the sights and sounds of the time. It was like being transported back 20 years. But, perhaps because the film was made two decades after it's supposed to take place, "Carlito's Way" hasn't aged at all. Like many great films, it has a timeless feel to it, because it avoids many of the filmmaking clichés of the period in which it was made. DePalma was already working from a very good foundation--Edwin Torres' two books on Carlito Brigante, "Carlito's Way" and "After Hours," are exceptionally well written--but he could've easily dropped the ball. Thankfully, he didn't. Though he and Pacino were both initially opposed to rehashing the success of "Scarface," they eventually decided to work together again. The combination was pure magic. Like many great actors, Pacino sometimes needs to be challenged, and DePalma challenged him. And he responded with one of the best performances of his legendary career. He brings an elegiac air to the character of reformed drug kingpin Carlito Brigante, which brings out a level of depth and emotional weight that the character of Tony Montana just didn't have. In fact, Carlito makes Tony seem woefully cartoonish and two-dimensional by comparison. As the film progresses, the psychic weight of Carlito's worsening dilemma is channeled perfectly by Pacino's every move and word. Despite Carlito's sordid past, you sympathize with him and his increasingly futile attempt to escape that past. The rapidly shrinking box that is Carlito's way out is communicated stunningly, by Pacino's acting, the excellent dialogue and cinematography, and, crucially, the music, which builds to a crescendo during the subway chase scene--one of the best chase scenes ever committed to film, in my opinion. A movie is nothing without fine acting, and DePalma did a wonderful job of casting "Carlito's Way." The cast is, to a person, first-rate: John Leguizamo as up-and-coming gangster Benny Blanco; Penelope Ann Miller as Carlito's love interest, Gail; Luis Guzman as the traitorous Pachanga; and the ringer, Sean Penn, as Carlito's sleazy, out-of-control lawyer, David Kleinfeld. Penn has had a lot of great roles in his career, but his turn as Kleinfeld is definitely one of his most memorable: over-the-top, but never less than eminently believable . . . and chillingly frightening. As I said earlier, the years have been very kind to "Carlito's Way." It has aged better than any of DePalma's other films, and still looks and sounds as vital today as it did upon its release. That's a tough trick to pull off, but it's a testament to DePalma's filmmaking prowess and the actors' collective skill that, never once, do you catch yourself thinking about the age of the film. It's, quite simply, timeless--and, in this viewer's opinion, one of the best gangster films ever made. Whether history will judge it as such is debatable, but I believe that time will continue to enhance its reputation. It's a stunning cinematic achievement that will gain more and more supporters as the years go buy. I have absolutely no doubt about that.

article bien venu dans la date precise et bien en Francais aussi. merci! c est une classe et bien pour l archive cette film de al pacino!

Al Pacino ist wohl zusammen mit Robert De Niro der Schauspieler der das Gerne des Mafiakinos der letzten 30 Jahr nicht nur dominiert sondern auch etabliert hat. Carlito Brigante wird 1975 aufgrund eines Formfehlers der Gegenseite von seinem Freund und Anwalt David Kleinfeld bereits nach 5 Jahren anstatt 30 Jahren aus dem Knast rausgeholt. Dennoch will er nicht mehr in sein altes Leben als Gangster zurück sondern nur möglichst schnell 75.000$ zusammenkratzen um sich mit seiner Freundin Gail ein neues Leben auf den Bahamas aufzubauen wo er fortan als Mitinhaber eines Autoverleih Service sein Geld ehrlich verdienen will. Doch allerlei Dinge wie seine unfreiwillige Beteiligung in einen Mafiamord,der Verrat eines Freundes sowie Ärger mit dem Möchtegern Gangster Benny Blanco aus der Bronx sorgen dafür das der Traum von den Bahamas für Carlito in weite Ferne rückt und als er das Geld endlich zusammen hat und für immer endlich verschwinden will könnte es für ihn bereits zu spät sein. Den es hängen ihm bereits mehrere Verfolger an seinen Fersen die alle nur seinen Tod für etwas wollen was er gar nicht wollte. Neben der Pate Triologie, Scarface, und Es war einmal in Amerika die alle samt ebenfalls nicht ohne Pacino oder De Niro auskammen ist Carlito's Way einer der besten Filme zu dem Thema überhaupt was auch an den hervorragend unvergesslichen Nebendarstellern Sean Penn als Anwalt David Kleinfeld (der wohl ganz klar das Vorbild für den Anwalt Ken Rosenberg aus den GTA Teilen Vice City und San Andreas war),sowie dem genialen John Leguizamo als der wohl schmierigste Gangster der je auf der Leinwand zu sehen war Benny Blanco aus der Bronx. ***Achtung leichter Spoiler zum Ende des Filmes. Lesen auf eigene Gefahr.*** Der Schlussakt bestehend aus Verfolgungsjagd, Schießerei, Verrat und Finalshot in der New Yorker U Bahn dessen Ende bereits im Vorspann am Anfang gezeigt wird ist in seiner Intensität ebenfalls einzigartig und bringt einen Sieger hervor den man als Zuschauer eigentlich nicht mehr erwartet hat und man im Laufe der Handlung des Finales schon fast vergessen hatte. Gerade das macht das Ende des Filmes doch so gut. ***Achtung schwerer Spoiler zum Ende des Filmes. Lesen immer noch auf eigene Gefahr.*** Gerade als Carlito sich sicher fühlt kommt das Ende für ihn aus einer Richtung die er nicht mehr erwartet hat aber einen als Zuschauer deswegen umso härter trifft da er es vermeiden können wenn er nur seinem eigen Instinkt bei der Einschätzung einer früheren Situation mehr vertraut und demendsprechend gehandelt hätte. Nämlich das die Dinge die man auser Acht lässt,vergisst nicht mit einplant oder ignoriert genau die sind die sich am Ende für einen rächen und zwar dann wenn man es nicht mehr erwartet. Absolut empfehlenswerter Film für Pacino, Scarface, Gangster, Krimi, Film Noir und 70er Jahre Fans.