1993
Tag: Sean Penn
video review : Carlito’s Way
This is the tale of a lifelong gangster trying to go straight. Released early from a 30-year prison sentence on a technicality, former drug lord Carlito Brigante returns to the free world a new man. The plan, his dream, is to take part in a legit car rental business with a friend, but of course life doesn’t always go according to plan.
Some of the characterization goes overboard; David Kleinfeld, Brigante’s best friend and lawyer, is particularly caricatural; but the plot is generally riveting. Even the sappy romantic subplot is handled with care. The one major flaw, in fact, is that the movie commits the crime of telling you how the story will end before it begins.
my rating : 4 of 5
1993
Lucky Luciano :
The way it shows the ending first is not uncommon in gangster movies, but in this case it doesn’t seem to do anything but leave a feeling of doom and tradgedy throughout the film. Which is fine, but it probably would have been more effective if that tradgedy came unexpected. Also, the overbearing love story sometimes gets in the way. Despite these shortcomings, it’s still a movie worth recommending for the performances and storytelling. If you want a film about a reformed man who can’t escape his past, this is it.
4/5
video review : Fair Game
This movie, based on a memoir by former CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson, seems to have its political views in the right place. It’s not afraid to portray the US government as the corrupt organization it often is. The main focus goes back to the weeks, months and years after “9-11” and the questionable war that started as a result.
The plot, about Valerie’s sudden termination from the CIA; the result of her ambassador husband publicly denying that Saddam Hussein is using “yellowcake” to make weapons; doesn’t really untangle itself until about the half-way point. From there, this Fair Game is two people versus the government in what is ultimately anything but.
my rating : 3 of 5
2010