Carlito's Way

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Carlito's Way ★★★ 1993 (R)

Puerto Rican crime czar Carlito Brigante (Pacino) has just gotten out of jail and wants to go straight. But his drug under-world cohorts don't believe he can do it. Penn (barely recognizable) is great as a sleazy coked-out lawyer who's way out of his league. Remarkably subdued violence given DePalma's previous rep—it's effective without being gratuitous, especially the final shootout set in Grand Central Station. Pacino's performance is equally subdued, with controlled tension and lots of eye contact rather than grandiose emotions. Based on the novels “Carlito's Way” and “After Hours” by Edwin Torres. Pacino and DePalma previously teamed up for “Scarface.” 145m/C VHS, DVD, HD DVD . Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, Luis Guzman, John Leguizamo, Ingrid Rogers, James Rebhorn, Viggo Mortensen, Jorge Porcel, Joseph Siravo, Adrian Pasdar, Jon Seda, Vincent Pastore; D: Brian De Palma; W: David Koepp; C: Stephen Burum; M: Patrick Doyle.