Carlito's Way

Editor Reviews

• Umber Paxton

  Rating: 8

  8

  October 20, 2025

  Al Pacino delivers another powerhouse performance in Brian De Palma's stylish neo-noir 'Carlito's Way,' playing Carlito Brigante, a Puerto Rican ex-con determined to go straight after being released from prison. However, the allure of his old life and the loyalty he feels towards his shady lawyer, played by a surprisingly transformed Sean Penn, constantly pull him back into the criminal underworld. The film is a tragic tale of a man trying to escape his past, set against the backdrop of 1970s New York City. The club scenes are particularly striking, with their pulsating energy and evocative lighting. Did you know that Sean Penn underwent a significant physical transformation for his role as David Kleinfeld, including a receding hairline and specific mannerisms, to make him almost unrecognizable? This commitment to character adds another layer to the film's gritty realism. 'Carlito's Way' is a visually rich and emotionally charged thriller, exploring themes of redemption, fate, and the inescapable grip of a criminal past.

• Sloane Archer

  Rating: 5

  5

  September 23, 2025

  Al Pacino delivers another captivating performance in 'Carlito's Way,' reuniting with director Brian De Palma for this stylish and tragic gangster film. Pacino plays Carlito Brigante, a Puerto Rican ex-con released from prison who vows to go straight, but finds himself inexorably pulled back into the criminal underworld. Sean Penn, almost unrecognizable, is brilliant as Carlito's shifty, coke-addicted lawyer, Kleinfeld, whose desperate actions drag Carlito deeper into trouble. The film is a beautifully shot, melancholic tale of a man trying to escape his past, filled with De Palma's signature visual flair and tense action sequences. It's a powerful story about fate, loyalty, and the impossibility of truly leaving the streets behind. The film's atmosphere is thick with a sense of impending doom, making Carlito's struggle all the more poignant as he dreams of a peaceful life with his girlfriend Gail, played by Penelope Ann Miller.

• Tatum Reed

  Rating: 7

  7

  September 2, 2025

  Al Pacino re-teams with Brian De Palma for 'Carlito's Way,' a stylish and tragic neo-noir film about a former drug lord trying to go straight after being released from prison. Pacino's Carlito Brigante is a man desperately trying to escape his past, but the streets keep pulling him back in. Sean Penn delivers a transformative, almost unrecognizable performance as Carlito's sleazy lawyer, Kleinfeld. The film is a visually stunning and emotionally charged ride, propelled by its fantastic soundtrack and De Palma's signature long takes and suspenseful sequences. It's a powerful story about second chances and the inescapable grip of destiny.

• Mace Carrington

  Rating: 5

  5

  August 15, 2025

  'Carlito's Way' is a stylish and poignant crime drama that reunites Al Pacino with director Brian De Palma. Pacino plays Carlito Brigante, a former drug lord released from prison who tries to go straight, but finds himself inexorably pulled back into the dangerous world he tried to leave behind. The film is a masterclass in atmosphere and character study, showcasing Pacino's incredible range as he portrays a man desperately trying to escape his past. Sean Penn's transformative performance as Carlito's sleazy, coke-addicted lawyer, Kleinfeld, is almost unrecognizable and truly steals every scene he's in. Did you know that Penn shaved his head and got a perm for the role? The film is a tragic ballet of loyalty, betrayal, and the crushing weight of fate, underscored by a slick 70s and 80s aesthetic.

• Taylor Webb

  Rating: 7

  7

  May 11, 2025

  Al Pacino reunites with director Brian De Palma for this neo-noir crime drama. Pacino plays Carlito Brigante, a former drug lord released from prison who struggles to go straight despite being pulled back into the criminal underworld by his sleazy lawyer (a transformative, Oscar-nominated performance by Sean Penn). The film is a tense and stylish exploration of redemption and fate. De Palma excels at creating suspenseful sequences, building towards an unforgettable, pulse-pounding climax in Grand Central Terminal. It's a tragic story of a man trying desperately to escape his past.