Gangster Epic (Carlito's Way (DVD))

Member Name: mcicp19

Product:	Carlito's Way (DVD)
Date:	26/08/08 (117 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic Story/Acting/Dialogue

Disadvantages: None

Carlito's Way is Brian De Palma's 1993 gangster epic starring Al Pacino as Carlito Brigante, and Sean Penn as Lawyer David Kleinfeld.

The plot is based around ex-con Carlito and his attempts to reform his life after getting out of jail early, a character who is almost like a reformed Tony Montana from Scarface without the temper, while struggling with the way the world has changed during his years in jail.

One of the early scenes involves Carlito and his lawyer Kleinfeld in court, with Carlito being released after 5 years due to a piece of evidence that had to be discounted. Pacino immediately sets the tone for his performance with a great speech to the court which I'll give a small exert from -

'I've been cured; born again, like the Watergaters. I know you've heard this rap before, your honour, I've changed. I've changed, and it didn't take no thirty years like your honour thought, but only five. '

A great start to the film although you expect nothing less from Pacino. The film continues to take you through the life of Carlito as situation after situation arises due to his past. His lawyer Kleinfeld does little to help the situation, with Penn playing the character superbly (it's the stand out role of his career IMO) and almost unrecognisable to the actor himself. Penn's character goes on a dark journey through this film almost at an opposite trip to Carlito's attempts for redemption and a new life. Although Pacino knows he need's to distance himself from Dave he just can't, due to his old school gangster code making him feel that he owes him something due to Kleinfeld getting him out of jail early.

The film has one scene that I truly believe should be seen by anyone who enjoys film's, the infamous pool room scene. With Carlito unwillingly dragged to a drug deal at his cousins request, it lead's to some fantastic dialogue and a trick shot that'll 'make you change your religion', with one of my favourite speech's ever -

'I'm reloaded! Okay? Come on in here, you m*therf***ers! Come on, I'm waitin' for ya! What, you ain't comin' in? Okay, I'm comin' out! Oh, you up against me now, m*therf***ers! I'm gonna blow your f***in' brains out! You think you're big time? You gonna f***in' die big time! You ready? HERE COMES THE PAIN!'

The production and soundtrack give a real hispanic feel (Carlito has a hispanic background), with the setting's in the streets and club, and salsa influenced music all combining perfectly. You really get a feel for the time and era Carlito was living in.

For me this film is one of the truly great gangster films, up there with Scarface, Goodfella's, and the Godfather Films (I prefer the later gangster films to these anyway). Pacino's performance is epic and really pulled at my emotions during this film which was a first (and only) for a gangster flick. Usually I'm not happy about the downfall of Montana, Henry Hill etc but I can understand why as they weren't good people, but I really felt for Carlito's struggle. Sean Penn is ridiculously good in this film and plays the drug crazed lawyer down to a tee. The dialogue is top notch for the whole film as you would expect from a De Palma picture, and for all the similarities it has to Scarface this is a totally different kind of gangster film.

Summary: Gangster film that should be seen by all