FILM VAULT TUESDAY - Carlito's Way

So it's Tuesday and I'm supposed to have something to write today... The new apartment feels like home now but I haven't quite figured out what to do in that home... I know that statement begs for further explanation but I'm not really sure I know what I'm trying to say.

I had my iPhone stolen last Wednesday. I was sitting on the train, near the door, playing blackjack as I listened to the new Eminem album. The train stopped at Rhode Island Avenue and the perpetrator waited until the doors were about to close, snatched it from my hands, and took off running. Or at least tried to run away... I was able to grab the sleeve of his sweatshirt for a second. In that brief moment we made eye contact. I thought I had him, and so did he. He let out a rather feminine yelp before managing to twist himself free from my grasp.

I chased him for a few yards but he was really fast and of course I've got the speed of an amputee trying to break in a new prosthetic leg... So of course, he got away and I had to shell out an ungodly sum for a new iPhone.

The new one is white... I've christened it, "Benny Blanco from the Bronx," a character from one of my all time favorite movies: Carlito's Way. My first iPod was named Pachanga, also named (in-part) after a character from that movie... considering how much I love it, I was surprised to find that I had somehow never bothered to review it for Film Vault Tuesday... until now that is...

Title: Carlito's Way (1993)

Credits: Al Pacino, Sean Penn, John Leguizamo, Penelope Ann Miller, Luis Guzman, Viggo Mortensen. Directed by Brian De Palma

Why?: I think what I love most about this movie is that even though at it is essentially a very basic story at its core, the stellar cast brings so much depth to the characters that the result is a story far more complex than it might have been. It becomes a story as much about relationships, redemption, and loyalty, as it is about romance and crime.

Remote Scene Stopper: There are many scenes that I could pick here... Carlito's intro and closing monologues... The "Okay, I'm Reloaded," shoot-out scene... Any of the Benny Blanco appearances... and of course the satisfying death of Sean Penn's brilliantly layered character. But one scene that flies under the radar is the "Lalin" scene with Carlito and Viggo Mortensen.

This was way before Viggo Mortensen was an established fixture on the silver screen. At the time, he was just "some guy" who had been lucky enough to land this very small role. It's only one scene, and it lasts all of about 2 minutes... but during those two minutes, he spends the duration basically alone on screen with Al Pacino in his prime... As they go one-on-one during their interaction it becomes apparent that, improbably, not only does Mortensen hold his own with Al, but he actually steals the scene! He even throws out a flawless Nuyorican accent in both English and Spanish.

It would be another 6 years before he landed a breakthrough role, but you can see all the talent and ability present right there in his brief appearance in Carlito's Way.

Tear Factor: If you can get through Carlito's final monologue without at least feeling the tears build around your eyes then you're lacking both a soul and an appreciation for cinema at its best.

Overall: I'm of the opinion that Carlito's Way is one of the most grossly underrated movies on IMDB, which gives it a rating of only 7.8... That makes no sense to me. You have a classic story, well developed characters, two of the finest actors of a generation turning in some of the best performances of their career, a good score, and a great soundtrack.

It's been out for 16 years and yet it holds up as well today as it did in 1993. I give it a 9 without question, and would go as high as a 9.5 had it not been for Penelope Ann Miller's mediocre performance, which wouldn't even stand out so much had it not landed smack dab in the middle of such a strong cast.






*if you can find the books Carlito's Way or After Hours by Edwin Torres (the origin of the movie's plot) I can definitely recommend them. They're both very quick but memorable reads, and I've found myself going back to them both on several occasions... Unfortunately, I fear they may now be out of print. But like I said, if you can track them down they're certainly worth having in your library.