The Street is watching…

“Here come the pain” is the cry Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino) utters when he finds himself in a no way out situation without any bullets in his gun. Never short on bravado, Carlito lives by his wits and has lived longer than anyone has expected.

At the time, little does Carlito realize that his utterance forewarns his ultimate fate.

Carlito’s Way is a well-written movie based on the novels Carlito’s Way and After Hours by Judge Edwin Torres. It runs 2hrs. 25 minutes and is rated R for violence, nudity and language.

The story is Carlito’s reverie/recollection when he finds himself shot in a train station. The subsequent narrative and conclusion are an effective use of leveraging the external and internal conflict experienced by Carlito throughout the film. This conflict takes the form of a dizzying roller coaster ride with heights and depths of tension pulsatingly experienced by the viewers throughout the ride. These scenes are particularly powerful considering that the initial scene in the movie serves to set an accelerated pace for the movie and also serves to suspend the viewers’ anticipation of the final outcome.

Carlito’s recollection begins with his release from incarceration five years into the intended 30 years sentence due to the discovery of a mitigating technicality exploited by his sleazy defense lawyer Dave Kleinfeld (Sean Penn).

According to Carlito, he is "rejuvenated, re-invigorated, and soon to be relocated". He claims that he is reformed and will lead a clean, non-criminal lifestyle. Set in 1975 in Manhattan, much of the activity takes place in or around a disco that Carlito manages. In an uncharacteristic, naïve manner for a street tough, the ‘reformed’ Carlito thinks that ‘The Street’ (representation of all influences that have sullied his prior life experience) will simply allow him to re-enter its domain at will and then leave it unscathed. Carlito finds out soon enough that “The Street is watching” and that he must slip back into some of his old hardened habits, instincts and practices just to stay alive. The viewers find that Carlito’s reformation has dulled his ability to check every angle and his misguided loyalty and compassion prove to be his undoing.

While the storyline may seem somewhat commonplace (convict gets out, tries to go straight, yada, yada, yada...), the external/internal conflict, the fantastic directing and the superlative acting make this movie a must see. The external/internal metaphor begins with the shooting and the subsequent recollection. This metaphor plays out in several other scenarios including ‘The Street’/Disco setting, the reformed Carlito/reference to young Carlito, Kleinfeld – DA dealings, Kleinfeld – Mob dealings, Carlito – Gail romance and in the expectant Gail revelation. This external/internal conflict serves as a perfect vehicle for the tension riddled scenes so expertly and imaginatively directed by Brian DePalma. The tension filled scenes with Carlito’s nephew early on and then the Grand Central Station chase scene make this movie worthwhile. To this reviewer, this movie is only slightly below other top tier gangster fare including: Godfather I & II, Scarface, GoodFellas and Reservoir Dogs.

DePalma’s direction (see below for filmography) has continued on the same path with Pacino that was started in Scarface; however, here the criminal animal is being tamed and the viewer feels connected to the pain and loss felt by Carlito. Pacino is an actor with a top-notch resume (see below) known to play intense characters. The character of Carlito is no different – he kills ‘em dead too; however, in Carlito, Pacino shows us frailty, fragility, naiveté and tenderness. We care about him. The same, however, cannot be said for Sean Penn’s Dave Kleinfeld character. He – we loathe. Penn is masterful in this performance. Penn makes us despise the Kleinfeld character so completely in this award worthy performance that we the viewers are left only the option of applause.

The only distinct weakness in this movie is the romantic sub-plot involving Carlito and Gail (Penelope Ann Miller). Excepting the feral “If you don’t get in, you don’t get in” scene, the ensuing explanation of how Carlito became Carlito and hope represented by the love child – this sub-plot is an odd piece in a puzzle that fits together so well.

Minimal weakness aside, this movie is worth a couple hours of your time. Come feel the pain.

Filmography ref: yahoo movies

DePalma
Director: Femme Fatale (2002), Tom Hanks 2-Pack (2001), Mission to Mars (2000), Snake Eyes (1998), Mission: Impossible (1996), Carlito's Way (1993), Raising Cain (1992), Bonfire of the Vanities (1990), Casualties of War (1989), The Untouchables (1987), Wise Guys (1986), Body Double (1984), Scarface (1983), Blow Out (1981), Dressed to Kill (1980), Home Movies (1979), The Fury (1978), Carrie (1976), Obsession (1976), Sisters (1973), Get to Know Your Rabbit (1972), "Hi, Mom!”(1969) The Wedding Party (1969), Greetings (1968); Editor: Greetings (1968); Producer: Snake Eyes (1998), Bonfire of the Vanities (1990); Screenwriter: Femme Fatale (2002), Snake Eyes (1998), Blow Out (1981), "Hi, Mom!” (1969), Greetings (1968); Story: Obsession (1976); Writer and Conception: Sisters (1973)

Pacino
Actor: People I Know (2003), The Recruit (2003), Dick Tracy/Turner & Hooch (2002), Insomnia (2002), S1m0ne (2002), Ultimate Fights (2002), Any Given Sunday (1999), The Insider (1999), Devil's Advocate (1997), Donnie Brasco (1997), City Hall (1996), Looking for Richard (1996), Heat (1995), Two Bits (1995), Carlito's Way (1993), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), Scent of a Woman (1992), Frankie and Johnny (1991), Dick Tracy (1990), The Godfather Part III (1990), Sea of Love (1989), Revolution (1985), Scarface (1983), Author! Author! (1982), Cruising (1980), And Justice for All (1979), Bobby Deerfield (1977), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), The Godfather Part II (1974), Scarecrow (1973), Serpico (1973), The Godfather (1972); Director: Looking for Richard (1996)

Penn
Films: The Weight of Water (2002), Beaver Trilogy (2001), Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001), I Am Sam (2001), Before Night Falls (2000), Up at the Villa (2000), Sweet and Lowdown (1999), Hurlyburly (1998), The Thin Red Line (1998), The Game (1997), Hugo Pool (1997), She's So Lovely (1997), U-Turn (1997), Dead Man Walking (1995), Carlito's Way (1993), State of Grace (1990), Casualties of War (1989), We're No Angels (1989), Colors (1988), Cool Blue (1988), Judgment in Berlin (1988), At Close Range (1986), Shanghai Surprise (1986), The Falcon and the Snowman (1985), Crackers (1984), Racing With the Moon (1984), Bad Boys (1983), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), The Killing of Randy Webster (1981), Taps (1981); Cameo: Being John Malkovich (1999)