What if Scarface went to prison, got released, then tried to play it straight? Director Brian De Palma presents that scenario in Carlito’s Way, a strange, twisted sequel-of-sorts that takes Pacino's manic overlord and reforms him into a gangster with a heart of gold. But, as Pacino himself reminds us in another Nineties movie fever dream, just when you think you’re out, they'll always pull you back in. Sean Penn’s slimy lawyer character does the pulling here, forcing Carlito to clean up the mess left by Penn’s appetites. A stellar cast, including the always solid John Leguizamo and a brief but intensely memorable appearance by Viggo Mortensen, elevates the familiar premise to classic status. – Cat McCarrey
