A Puerto-Rican ex-con, just released from prison, pledges to stay away from drugs and violence despite the pressure around him, and lead a better life outside NYC.
Pacino looks every inch a movie star, and De Palma provides a timely reminder of just how impoverished the Hollywood lexicon has become since the glory days of the '70s.
– ,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
rotten:
Pacino has his moments but for the most part he's surprisingly underwhelming. He's a great actor but even I can do a better Puerto Rican accent.
– Desson Thomson,
Washington Post,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
About halfway through, the overwhelming fact that the movie is a complete nothing becomes too much to ignore.
– Hal Hinson,
Washington Post,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
"Carlito's Way," like "Scarface," is first and last a character study, a portrait of a man who wants to be better than he is.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
"Carlito's Way" is best watched as lively, colorful posturing and as a fine demonstration of this director's bravura visual style.