Carlito's Way

SUMMARY

Carlito Brigante (Pacino) is a life-long criminal who finds himself with an unexpected second chance. In 1975, Carlito is released from prison after serving only 5 years of a 30-year sentence when his conviction is overturned on a technicality. He declares himself reformed, tired of life on the streets, and determined to fulfill his simple dream of buying into a rental car business in the Bahamas. Among those who find this conversion hard to believe are David Kleinfeld (Penn), Carlito's crooked attorney and childhood friend, and bodyguard Pachanga (Luis Guzman). Carlito rediscovers old flame Gail (Penelope Ann Miller) and seems ready to retire in peace, but old ways die hard, and old associates pull Carlito step by step back into a life he can't seem to shake. 99 Lives Video Magazine

CAST /CREW

Directed by Brian De Palma Writing credits (WGA) Edwin Torres (novels) David Koepp (screenplay) Cast Al Pacino .... Carlito Brigante Sean Penn .... David Kleinfeld Penelope Ann Miller .... Gail John Leguizamo .... Benny Blanco Ingrid Rogers .... Steffie Luis Guzmán .... Pachanga (as Luis Guzman) James Rebhorn .... Dist. Atty. Norwalk Joseph Siravo .... Vincent 'Vinnie' Taglialucci Viggo Mortensen .... Lalin Richard Foronjy .... Pete Amadesso Jorge Porcel .... Saso Frank Minucci .... Tony Taglialucci Adrian Pasdar .... Frankie Taglialucci John Ortiz .... Guajiro (as John Augstin Ortiz) Ángel Salazar .... Walberto   (more)

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ARTICLES

Will the real Penelope Ann Miller speak up? You bet., by Bernard Weinraub, Cosmopolitan, 07 01 1994
    (thanks curiouscat for this)
   At the age of thirty, Penelope Ann Miller has emerged as one of Hollywood's more formidable actresses, a chameleon who's played everything from the girl-next- door in such movies as Kindergarten Cop and The Freshman to a toughened stripper in Carlito's Way.
This last role was the best of Miller's career to date. Unfortunately, her performance was almost overlooked because of the publicity surrounding an offscreen romance she had with costar Al Pacino. "I was so proud of my work in that movie," she says quietly. "And it really kind of upset me that my personal life eclipsed what I had done. It all got out of hand. I want to be recognized for my work. And all I got was this other stuff. It was just so . . . disappointing. I felt it took away from my credibility and legitimacy as an actress because I'm not a celebrity, I don't go out and promote my personal life. What's public domain is my work."
    The affair began during rehearsals for Carlito's Way and lasted months after filming ended. Breaking up with the fifty-four-year-old Pacino was rough. The actor has had a long, sometimes stormy relationship with Australian TV journalist Lyndall Hobbs; his liaison with Miller put her in the awkward position of Other Woman. Pacino has kept quiet about their involvement. But not Miller.
    "When isn't it hard to break up?" asks Miller. "It wasn't some kind of movie fling. It went beyond that. I certainly don't regret the relationship. I learned a lot, I grew a lot. It's something I'll always cherish." She shrugs and says she still talks to Pacino on occasion. "Not everything lasts forever. You can't force things. I'm at a point where if something isn't working, I don't want to waste my time. Besides, I'm really happy with my life right now."

USA Today, "Pacino's way with his 'Carlito's Way' co-star., by Ann Oldenburg (I don't know the date)
    Penelope Ann Miller is a "discreet and private person who doesn't go around publicizing" her relationships. But the actress wants to set the record straight about one guy in her life: Al Pacino, her co-star in highly praised Carlito's Way.
    "It's been regarded as a fling on-set affair, a dalliance," Miller said Thursday. "I really resent that. First of all, I don't do flings. That's not my style."
    "So did I have a fling with Al? No, I did not. Do I have a personal involvement? Yes.... It's been a real, significant and important relationship, to me." Miller, 29, said the romance with Pacino, 53, began in March during rehearsals.   "Both Al and I really resisted the relationship ... We both fought it for quite a while. It's just one of those things you can't help."
    On the set the actor was as expected: intense, dedicated. "He cares so much and works so hard and he's so incredibly passionate. Just watching him was a learning experience."  He delved deeply with Miller. "I feel I've grown as an actress and a woman," she said. "He brought out things in me I wasn't sure were there."
    Miller is shooting The Shadow now in Los Angeles and Pacino is doing a play in the New York area. At the recent New York premiere of Carlito's Way, Pacino showed up with Lyndall Hobbs, an Australian TV journalist he's been seeing.  Miller said only that the situation was "awkward." Then added, "But whatever it looks like to other people, that's their business. I know the truth... that yes, there's love between US."
    Pacino has been mum about the relationship so far. The only thing Miller is certain of: "This is something I will cherish all my life."

 

 

TRIVIA

Director Brian De Palma wanted to shoot the climax of the film at the World Trade Center in New York but it was the target of a bombing, and he had to shoot it in "another railway station again." (De Palma's Untouchables, The (1987) also featued a scene at a railway station.)(IMD)

Penelope Ann Miller was nominated for a Golden Globe, best supporting actress (1994)

Sean Penn was nominated for a Golden Globe, Best Supporting Actor (1994)

GOOFS

Carlito places his glass down twice when he first goes back to his old neighbourhood. (IMD)

When Carlito goes to visit Kleinfeld in the hospital, the guard in the hallway is holding a newspaper with both hands. When the camera changes angles, the guard is holding the paper with one hand and pointing at Carlito with the other hand. (IMD)

In the mid 1970s, Grand Central Terminal was host to the Kodak Panorama, yet it can't be seen. (IMD)

Gale orders a Diet Pepsi, which didn't exist until the early 1980s. (IMD)

Carlito uses a Beretta '92 FS, released in the late 1970s. (IMD)

DVD INFO

widescreen letterbox (2.35 : 1)
subtitles: English, Spanish, French
color, closed-captioned, Dolby
production notes
theatrical trailer