The 1990s are arguably one of the best decades in cinema history, and not just because they introduced audiences to some of the best filmmakers of their generation, but also because the films were high-quality films. While this really applies to all genres, some genres did even better than others. A genre that produced many hits in the 90s is the gangster genre, which saw a further resurgence following the release of key films like The Freedmen And pulp Fiction. When gangster movie fans talk about their favorite films, many of them came out during this decade, and many of them were made by some of the best directors to ever work in the genre. Besides Scorsese, a key name attached to the genre is Brian De Palma, and he directed his last gangster film, Carlito’s path, in 1993.
The Freedmen is generally the film that many consider a defining piece of gangster cinema, and it was a later work in Scorsese’s career at that point. Known for pushing Scorsese in a whole new direction, The Freedmen is a must-have of 90s cinema, in the same way as The godfather is a staple of ’70s cinema. While it inspired a ton of films, it also overshadowed films released around the same time. Other essential gangster films from the 90s include Miller’s Crossing, State of Grace, King of New York, And Jack’s New Town. Three of these films were released in the exact same year as The Freedmen and were forgotten because of the success of Scorsese’s gem. Yet, to this day, one of the best of the ’90s is De Palma’s. Carlito’s pathwhich has a direct link with the history of the genre.
Carlito’s Way is still one of Al Pacino’s best gangster films
With all the same elements that made Brian De Palma’s other films so effective, Carlito’s path combines another brilliant performance from Al Pacino with an in-depth exploration of underrepresented communities and stylish direction. It’s not entirely different from the classic Pacino film Scarf in this regard. However, what fans love most about the 1993 gem are some of its anti-gangster themes and an emotionally compelling character arc for protagonist Carlito Brigante. The writing also stands out since David Koepp’s adaptation remains one of the best screenplays of the 90s. Through the story and De Palma’s vision, the audience meets Carlito at the start of a new chapter in his life, which quickly comes to define him despite the ambient pressures. Recently released from prison, Carlito vows to distance himself from a life of crime and drug-related gang activity that landed him in prison in the first place. What the audience witnesses is a man’s motivation to build a better life and start something new. Of course, for Carlito to achieve this, he needs to find a legitimate business that can earn him the kind of money he needs to fund a fresh start. This leads him to open a nightclub and run it as professionally as possible.
What becomes difficult for Carlito is trying to fend off the criminals and gang activities that naturally find their way into his environment because of where he is and what he does. It also implies that his past and past knowledge is catching up with him and pushing him to become more involved in the life he once knew. No matter the pressure, Carlito does his best to surround himself with the right people, people he can trust and who stay away from crime. Regardless, Carlito does things his way, and it’s a direct and legitimate way that will keep him on a better path. This makes for an interesting morality battle that begins to play out for Carlito, especially when dealing with certain obstacles would be easier with the type of street power he previously possessed. Carlito’s arc is endearing and invites exploration of themes such as greed, trust, betrayal, survival, and legacy. Carlito has status in his community, and this continues to attract danger and a bad form of competitiveness from the outside. Unfortunately, Carlito trusts the wrong people and his path ends up being the wrong one. Al Pacino gives one of his most underrated performances as Carlito Brigante and, in 1993, adds another gangster gem to his filmography.
Carlito’s Way is an essential film in the history of the gangster genre
There are many reasons to love Carlito’s path, especially since it stands out from other types of gangster films while continuing current trends in the genre. Al Pacino still delivers on his promises, but is surrounded by an iconic cast including Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, John Leguizamo, Luis Guzman and even Viggo Mortensen. The film manages to be another narrative gem from David Koepp and a key film in Brian De Palma’s filmography. What fans need to remember is that Carlito’s path was released at a crucial time in Brian De Palma’s career and the overall history of gangster films. Usually, when fans think of landmark films in the history of the genre, White Heat, The Godfather, Scarface, And The Freedmen come to mind first. The reason Carlito’s path What’s so special about it is that it was Brian De Palma’s final gangster film after he was a key, genre-redefining voice before 1993. The Freedmen attracts the most attention when thinking of the 90s, Carlito’s path built on Scorsese’s legacy in the genre as well as Brian De Palma’s legacy. Although Scorsese is the name that has become synonymous with the evolution of the genre, his friend and colleague De Palma was the first to redefine the genre.
The gangster genre has always been a specific film genre that emerged during the classic Hollywood era. It contained films such as the original Scarf from 1932, as well as James Cagney classics like Angels with dirty faces, G Men, And The Roaring Twenties. A typical rise-and-fall story, gangster films changed completely in the 1970s, along with the evolution of cinema in the New Hollywood era. America’s “movie brat” filmmakers have all managed to play key roles in the evolution of the medium, but three out of five of them have had an even greater impact on the gangster genre. First, Coppola changed everything with The godfather in 1972, setting a new standard for the genre in the 70s.
Brian De Palma was next, defining the ’80s with gangster gems like Scarf And The Untouchables. Scorsese redefined the genre again in 1990 with The Freedmen. This connects Carlito’s path to two definitive films of the genre, more precisely Scarf And The Freedmen. Not only ending a gangster run for De Palma, Carlito’s path also continued the look, feel and style of 90s gangster films that were becoming even more popular thanks to Scorsese’s film. The Freedmen. It manages to be not only the perfect love letter to De Palma’s epic run, but also a love letter to his history with Martin Scorsese and to the history of the gangster genre in general. This gives the 1993 film an even greater legacy.
Carlito’s Way is cut from the same cloth as Scarface
Like his friend Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma is a Sicilian-American filmmaker linked to the same cultural and historical roots as Scorsese. This is probably part of the reason why De Palma was attached to the story of Al Capone and decided to make a film about the rise and fall of this particular gangster in America. What’s overlooked is how De Palma’s three films connect to each other to form an unofficial “Scarface trilogy” that speaks directly to the gangster genre itself. Fans often remember it Carlito’s path it looks a lot like Scarf in that it also stars Al Pacino and depicts a specific Latino culture and community. The 1993 gem is definitely tied to the 1983 gangster hit that started this run for De Palma.
However, it also ties into a broader depiction of the American underworld and the fantasy of the American dream that De Palma spoke of. Starting with Scarf This is no accident, and deviating from typical Italian-American depictions was no accident either. De Palma wanted to connect audiences to the defining figure in American history associated with gangsters, the American dream, and rise and fall. That person was Al Capone, the original “Scarface.” Al Capone inspired the 1932 film and his story inspired the entire structure of most gangster films. De Palma wanted to show that this kind of figure could exist in any immigrant community, which is why his Scarf depicts Cuban heritage and why Carlito’s path depicts Puerto Rican heritage. In the middle of the two films is De Palma’s direct depiction of Capone’s story. If Carlito’s path sounds familiar, that’s only because it complements a greater masterpiece by the great Brian De Palma.
- Release date
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November 10, 1993
- Runtime
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144 minutes
- Director
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Brian DePalma
- Writers
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David Koep
- Producers
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Judith Stevens, Louis A. Poussette, Martin Bregman, Michael Bregman, Ortwin Freyermuth
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Al Pacino
Carlito Brigante
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Sean Penn
David Kleinfeld
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John Leguizamo
Benny Blanco