Everyone loves their friends. They act as our rock—someone we can lean on when we fall and be there for us. But sometimes people aren’t who they appear to be. They might betray our trust or strike when we least expect it.
This is the reality in the world of 1993’s Carlito’s Way, where living life on the street makes you prey to a world full of predators ready to strike when your eyes aren’t looking.
Directed by Brian De Palma, the film is an adaptation of Edwin Torres’s 1975 novel of the same name and his 1979 novel, After Hours. The film stars Al Pacino, Sean Penn, and Penelope Ann Miller, following a reformed gangster who vows to leave behind his life of crime but finds it much harder to escape than he expected.
Behind all the action, Carlito’s Way is a depiction of the delicacy of trust in those you love and the misery one might bring to their partners and loved ones through their own wrongdoings.
Carlito Brigante was a veteran Puerto Rican gangster who lurked around the New York City underworld. In 1975, he was freed from a thirty-year sentence with the help of his friend and lawyer, Dave Kleinfeld. Brigante vows to live a legitimate life, reuniting with his girlfriend, Gail, and his friend Pachanga. Despite his best efforts, he is gradually sucked back into his old criminal habits.
Then, he meets Benny Blanco, a young and aggressive gangster who lacks morals. Carlito reluctantly agrees to accompany Dave on a mission to bust mafia boss Anthony Taglialucci out of a prison barge. During the mission, both Taglialucci and his son Frankie are killed, and the mafia seeks revenge on Carlito. He attempts to flee to Miami with Gail, but just when he believes he can finally live a life of peace, he is double-crossed by Pachanga and meets his maker.
Carlito’s Way is a stark example of the fragility of trust and how those we perceive as friends might not have our best interests at heart. Carlito lives in a society where there is no honor among thieves. Behind the laughs and sense of camaraderie, they seek to manipulate each other at a moment’s notice. Carlito believed Dave to be his friend, but Dave dragged Carlito into activities he wasn’t comfortable with, yet went along with it because Carlito didn’t want to hurt him.
No one wants to feel lonely, and we seek those whom we can open up to. Though we aren’t burdened by crime, we’re still vulnerable to those who might do us wrong. Pachanga remained loyal to Carlito until he was paid by Benny Blanco to betray him, sealing his fate. A true friend wouldn’t be bribed or manipulated into betraying someone they love and are loyal to.
Neither money nor material possessions would seduce the heart of the honest and the faithful, who would remain loyal to the ones they love. The movie implores the audience to question whether those we call our friends are people we can really trust.
You are who you hang out with, and you must be careful of who you surround yourself with. The people you consider “besties” might not think of you the same way and could hurt you if it benefits them.
Additionally, Carlito’s Way also shows how our actions can hurt those we love. Carlito returns to his old flame, Gail, to turn over a new leaf with her. She warns Carlito of the danger they still face from his past criminal activity. Despite the challenges, they remain committed and look out for each other. However, Carlito’s involvement in crime brings Gail pain and sorrow, begging him to leave it behind and run away with her.
The movie asks its viewers to think about how their actions might affect those around them. Would you want to hurt your partner? Would you want to hurt your family? These are just some of the thought-provoking questions presented to us, as Carlito and Gail’s relationship serves as a reminder of the heartbreak caused by one’s actions and misdeeds.
For over thirty years, Carlito’s Way has stood out as a thrilling journey of a damned man trying to seek salvation in a captivating adventure. Against the backdrop of 1970s New York, it creates a message about betrayal and heartache that resonates with all those who view it. In a world confronting social norms of relationships and the experiences of meaningful connections, the film is a cinematic experience that connects with many social happenings of the epic known as life.
