Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
3.5/4
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 09/08/2023
A companion piece in a way to De Palma and Pacino's earlier gangster picture "Scarface," except more meditative and less decadent.
Rating of
3/4
Indyfreak - wrote on 08/03/2018
Al Pacino and Brian De Palma reunite for this nostalgic crime drama about an ex con named Carlito Brigante (Pacino) and his wishes aiming to go straight. Only for his associates and fate to take a dark path. It's an interesting set up and Pacino's experienced yet regretful turn as Brigante is quietly intense just as Tony Montana was loud and animated. Penelope Ann Miller is lovely as his stripper girlfriend while Sean Penn is amusing to watch as his cowardly cocaine addicted lawyer.
Rating of
3/4
Unknown - wrote on 09/12/2015
Criminal reforming himself after prison finds it hard when those from his past are still his influence. Great cast of actors really sell this decent crime laden story of false hopes and redemption. Carlito is a conflicted character. His wants are hard to attain in the environment he returns to. Sean Penn gives probably the best performance. A few scenes of bloodshed show De Palma's trademarks, but none can match the tense, elongated chase in the finale. Definitely the highlight of the film.
Rating of
3.5/4
Moviehead - wrote on 04/21/2012
Pacino is gangster that just got out of jail. He sees that gangster way of life is not good and wants to quit. However that want be so easy and that is because he was huge drug dealer and probably killed many. - Good plot. However i wasnt that convinced by Carlito. Too much for gangster i think. But this will take only half star from movie because: Its extremly interesting, intense, well shot, and never boring. I also liked how it reminded me of film noir, with narrative style, that worked really well. And Pacino is good. Its not 4 star gangster masterpiece because of reason i stated up there and possibly because screenplay could be kind of more epic, like goodfellas or scarface. But very good.
Rating of
3.5/4
mitchellyoung - wrote on 01/19/2012
This is a sometimes overlooked crime masterpiece - a sprawling gangster story of the type of Goodfellas and DePalma's previous genre work, Scarface. Pacino returns to former greatness as a gangster trying to stay clean and the film also features a chameleon-like role from an almost unrecognizable Sean Penn. An emotional and effective crime story.
Rating of
3/4
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 09/09/2011
Talented cast, brilliant camera work and witty screenplay brings out the color in Carlito's Way. A few boring scenes and sometimes over the top acting from Pean doesn't necessarily ruin the film. Al Pacino became Carlito Brigante and Penelope Ann Miller was delightful in her role. The action was well scripted coupled with the flicks soundtrack. The style was very cool without trying hard. A tragic conclusion to a bad guy turning good by making amends. If it only had a better ending, this would had a potential in becoming a gangster classic.
