Carlito’s Way (1993) – Crime/Drama/Thriller
Carlito’s Way (1993), directed by Brian De Palma and based on the novels by Judge Edwin Torres, is a gripping crime drama about redemption, loyalty, and the struggle to escape a violent past. Featuring one of Al Pacino’s most nuanced performances, the film combines De Palma’s stylish direction with a tragic, character-driven narrative.
The story follows Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino), a Puerto Rican gangster freshly released from prison after serving time for drug charges. Determined to leave his criminal life behind, Carlito dreams of running a legitimate business in the Caribbean with his girlfriend Gail (Penelope Ann Miller). However, despite his best intentions, he becomes entangled again in the dangerous world he is trying to escape. His loyalty to old friends, his debt to his shady lawyer David Kleinfeld (Sean Penn in a transformative performance), and his reputation in the streets pull him deeper into a cycle of violence.
De Palma’s direction brings an operatic intensity to Carlito’s story, blending moments of quiet reflection with explosive set pieces, such as the legendary Grand Central Station chase sequence. Pacino delivers Carlito with a weary dignity—a man aware of his flaws, yearning for redemption, but trapped by fate. Sean Penn’s unrecognizable turn as the corrupt, coked-out lawyer is a standout, balancing dark humor with menace.
At its core, Carlito’s Way is a meditation on inevitability. Unlike Scarface (1983), another De Palma–Pacino collaboration, this film portrays a gangster who doesn’t want power or chaos, but peace. The tragedy lies in Carlito’s realization that the streets never let go, no matter how hard one tries to change.
Though its box office performance was modest upon release, the film has since earned a devoted following, praised for its depth, De Palma’s sweeping visual style, and Pacino’s powerful performance. Today, it stands as a modern crime classic—an emotional, stylish, and tragic portrait of a man chasing freedom while haunted by his past.
