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"Which Way Is Carlito's
Way?" |
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Directed by Brian
DePalma - Written by
Edwin Torres, David
Koepp
Starring Al Pacino,
Viggo Mortensen, John
Leguizamo, Luis Guzman
Distributed by Universal -
1993 - 145mins - Rated R |
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One of Pacino's greatest characters... |
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In
every role he plays, Al Pacino gives off an aura of intensity that no
actor can match. He can make the strangest character sympathetic, or
steal a film from under the nose of Brando. In "Carlito's Way," he
plays one of his greatest characters yet.
Sort of an anti-"Scarface," "Carlito's Way" is about a criminal (Pacino)
who is released from prison and vows to go straight. Unlike other
similar characters, Carlito is serious about it. Things go horribly
wrong when his friends commit crimes, and he is stuck in the middle.
Brian DePalma is a hit and miss director, and it really shows here.
Many scenes are brilliant, well shot, and great to watch, but many
others (especially the ones that rely on romance) fall flat. Even in
the bad sense, though, his cast gives great performances.
Pacino is in one of his best roles here, but unlike so many other
great actors, he gives plenty of room for his co-stars to shine. Luis
Guzman, Viggo Mortensen, and John Leguizamo are all great, but we all
must marvel at Sean Penn, who plays Carlito's drugged up, mentally
unhinged lawyer. Penn doesn't just act, he disappears into the role.
He gives himself a complete makeover that is just as astonishing as
Nicole Kidman in "The Hours." I never would have recognized him if I
hadn't known the cast. I forgot it was Penn.
Although not an action film, "Carlito's Way" boasts two impressive
scenes. One is a shootout early in the film. The other is the 20
minute climax, a chase sequence so suspenseful and exciting, that when
the bomb under the table does go off, it's with a deafening roar that
lasts all of thirty seconds. The climax is quite simply some of the
best moments ever put on film.
Much of the film is still lackluster. The story is rather un-original,
and the pacing is off. As said above, the romance falls completely
flat and some of the major dramatic power drains away.
If you liked "Goodfellas" or "The Godfather" or "Scarface,' you may
love this movie. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
Email
Me! |
TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Richard Propes' Comment
Is anyone
else freaked out by how well Pacino portrays
psychos? Seriously, while this film didn't work
as well for me as it does for Jacob I do
agree...Penn and Pacino are marvelous.
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