Customer Reviews
Fantastic piece of crime, pretty much a classic - By: Chris Wood, 20 Jun 2008 
This is great stuff, hugely good fun & absorbing from the get go. The script & performances are great (check out Edwin Torres' books Carlito's Way & After Hours - both the basis for this & stunning reading) & the film deliversin every way. Some fine action & pretty much iconic scenes & you have a real winner.
Pacino - By: M. Graham, 21 Apr 2008 
Pacino shows us once again why he is the guy to go for gangster movies,watchin alot of his films lately,didnt realise what i was missin out on until now!!!
Like a plate of cold tripe - By: J.M.R., 17 Mar 2008 
This is why I only watch foreign films nowadays. Subtitles are an inconvenience but when you see what North America, as opposed to South America, has to offer, it's worth the eye strain.
Favor gonna kill you faster than a bullet. - By: M. S. Skidmore, 06 Jan 2008 Director Brian DePalma returns with this 1993 adaptation of the novel 'After Hours' by judge & author Edwin Torres. Here DePalma alternates his filmic style more to the side of 'Mission Impossible' & 'The Untouchables' rather than his usual Hitchcock homages ala 'Body Double' & 'Blow Out' to deliver (for me anyway) his finest film.
The story has Al Pacino (never better) playing Puerto Rican ex-con Carlito Brigante trying desperately to go straight & make a new life for himself & his dancer girlfriend (played by the excellent Penelope Ann Miller). Obviously, it all takes a turn for the worse when Carlito's attorney friend (played by an unrecognisable Sean Penn) is destined to take not only himself, but Carlito down with him.
The film itself is beautifully acted, exceptionally well written (each character is well developed & fully rounded) & the direction by DePalma is his sharpest yet. His roaming camera & stylish lighting give the city scenes life & the bars & club that glitzy & low life appealin equal measure. Al Pacino is perfectin the role & gives the film an exceptional emotional core - so to does Sean Penn, who is the epitome of sleaze & his look for the character is spot on. The romance between Pacino & Miller is well handled, not too slushy or slowing the story down - & like each plot pointin the film, it is expertly handled & played out well.
Allin all, one of DePalma's finest films & (for me) more satisfying than their previous collaboration 'Scarface' - although, that is excellent as well. Universals' disc has a sharp transfer & a short making of documentary, but the film itself is well worth the price of the disc alone. Recemmended.
Hey remember me, Benny Blanco from the Bronx? - By: R. Mullaney, 05 Jan 2008 Al Pacino plays Puerto Rican drug dealer & killer, Carlito Brigante, who is released on a technicality 5 years into a 30 year prison sentence. Recognising his opportunity to be a better person Carlito decides to go straight but his gratitude to corrupt lawyer Kleinfeld (Sean Penn) for getting him out of prison means he will eventually step back over the line to repay the favour.
Carlito's Way is a magnificent, well written crime drama & the performances of Pacino & Penn are wonderful. Brian De Palma's direction is spot on but as hard as it tries, Carlito's Way doesn't quite match up to his previous collaboration with Pacino, the classic Scarface. Pacino plays both roles differently, Tony Montana was a ruthless killer who murdered his best friendin a heartbeat but Carlito cares much more about his loved ones, so much so that he helps Kleinfeld on a job that will potentially send him back to prison for the rest of his life. Carlito is genuinely grateful for another shot at life & his weary narration as he is dragged back into his old ways give the film a heart that Scarface didn't have. When watching Carlito's Way you just know theres not gonna be a happy ending but the third act is so well done it's impossible not to watch it out despite the feeling of impending tragedy.
Like this? Try: Scarface
