Carlito’s Way 1993

Carlito’s Way is a 1993 American crime film directed by Brian De Palma, based on the novels Carlito’s Way (1975) and After Hours (1979) by Judge Edwin Torres. The film adaptation was scripted by David Koepp. It stars Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, Luis Guzman, John Leguizamo, Jorge Porcel, Joseph Siravo, and Viggo Mortensen.

The film stars Pacino as Carlito Brigante, a Puerto Rican criminal who vows to go straight and to retire in paradise. However, his criminal past proves difficult to escape, and he unwittingly ends up being dragged into the same activities that got him imprisoned in the first place. The film is based mainly on After Hours but used the title of the first novel to avoid it being confused with Martin Scorsese‘s 1985 film of the same name.

Carlito’s Way received a mixed response from critics, with a similar lukewarm result at the box office, but has subsequently become a cult film. Both Penn and Miller received Golden Globe nominations for their performances. A prequel titled Carlito’s Way: Rise to Power, based on the first novel was released direct-to-video in 2005.

Carlito’s Way (cast)

• Al Pacino as Carlito Brigante (called “Charlie” by Gail). Pacino came to Carlito’s Way directly from his Oscar-winning role in Scent of a Woman.^[2] To get into the character, he accompanied Torres through East Harlem. There he could absorb the sights and atmosphere.^[3] Pacino first envisioned Carlito with a ponytail, but, after visiting Harlem, he quickly realized such a hairstyle was uncommon among the local men. The beard was Pacino’s idea. The black leather coat fitted into the period setting.^[4]
• Sean Penn as David Kleinfeld. For the pivotal role of Carlito’s sleazy lawyer and best friend, Penn was lured back from early retirement by the challenge of playing the corrupt lawyer. Taking the role meant that he could finance his movie The Crossing Guard and work with Pacino.^[5] De Palma and Penn sat down and discussed what ’70s mob lawyers looked like. Often, men in the entertainment business can look more bizarre than the talent they represent.^[5] Penn shaved the hair on the front of his forehead to give the appearance of a receding hairline. He permed the rest.^[6] Alan Dershowitz, believing that Penn was attempting to look like him, threatened the filmmakers with a defamation lawsuit.^[7]
• Penelope Ann Miller as Gail. At the time, Miller was 29 years old to Pacino’s 53. Casting for Gail proved difficult because of the character’s striptease scenes. The character needed someone who was both a talented dancer and actor.^[6]
• John Leguizamo as Benny Blanco. Leguizamo completed the main cast as “Benny Blanco from the Bronx”, an up-and-coming gangster who is determined to exceed Carlito’s reputation but lacks any sense of ethics.^[8]
• Luis Guzmán as Pachanga. In Koepp’s first draft of the screenplay, Pachanga spoke in a very heavy slang style. Following rumbles from the Latino cast and crew, Koepp toned this down.^[9]
• Jorge Porcel as Saso
• Ingrid Rogers as Steffie
• James Rebhorn as District Attorney Norwalk
• Joseph Siravo as Vincent Taglialucci
• Frank Minucci as Anthony Taglialucci
• Adrian Pasdar as Frank Taglialucci
• Viggo Mortensen as Lalin
• John Augstin Ortiz as Guajiro
• Jaime Sánchez (actor) as Rudy

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