Carlito's Way, the 1993 crime thriller starring Al Pacino, will be shown on Film4 tonight. The film follows Carlito Brigante, a former gangster who, after spending years in prison, is determined to leave his criminal past behind. However, on his release in New York, he finds himself drawn back into the underworld.
Carlito reconnects with his girlfriend Gail, played by Penelope Ann Miller, but becomes embroiled in the dangerous schemes of his friend and lawyer Dave Kleinfeld, portrayed by Sean Penn. When the pair cross paths with gangster Benny Blanco, played by John Leguizamo, the situation grows increasingly perilous.
Directed by Brian de Palma, Carlito's Way received a lukewarm reception upon its initial release in 1993. Since then, it has gained a devoted cult following and is now widely regarded as one of de Palma's finest works. The film holds an impressive 91 percent approval rating on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes.
Both Penn and Miller received Golden Globe nominations for their performances. Over the years, critics have revised their earlier negative opinions, with many praising the film's thrilling set pieces, Pacino's restrained yet nuanced performance, and Penn's electric supporting role.
Fans have also championed the film, describing it as a gangster epic driven by performances and a stylish, emotionally grounded crime story. Carlito's Way stands as a compelling and human addition to the genre, with de Palma's direction giving the tragedy operatic weight.
