Al Pacino has long been recognized as one of the titans of the gangster genre, and his diverse portrayals of characters entrenched within America’s underworld reflect his evolution as both actor and icon. From Michael Corleone’s chilling transformation to Tony Montana’s ruthless rise, Pacino’s roles have defined not just his career but the genre itself.
Michael Corleone, the protagonist of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather trilogy, first emerges as a noble war hero, only to descend deeply and tragically, embodying the very empire he sought to evade. Conversely, Tony Montana from Scarface embodies the insatiable thirst for power, which inevitably spirals out of control, leading him to his doom. Each character offers insight not only on crime but also on the rich narratives woven around ambition, morality, and loyalty.
When Pacino collaborated with director Brian De Palma again for Carlito’s Way in 1993, expectations aligned with the visceral violence of Scarface. Instead, audiences were treated to a poignant morality tale illustrating the burdens of loyalty and the possibility of redemption. Al Pacino’s role as Carlito Brigante diverges significantly from the archetypal gangster roles seen previously. Unlike his prior characters, who actively sought power and control, Carlito finds himself grappling with the specter of his past as he attempts to redefine his future.
Upon release from prison, Carlito aspires to lead a legitimate life as the owner of a nightclub, yearning for peace with his lost love, Gail, portrayed by Penelope Ann Miller. Yet, as fate would have it, the allure of his former life and the connections within the seedy New York criminal underworld continually beckon him. From dealing with his ambitious cousin Guajiro to the manipulative antics of his cocaine-addicted attorney Kleinfeld (Sean Penn), Carlito's desire to steer clear of the drug trade is perpetually compromised.
Pacino’s Carlito strays from the archetype; instead of the clear ambition and egotism associated with Tony Montana or Michael Corleone, Carlito exhibits deep-seated sympathy, even toward those who betray him. He repeatedly refuses to fall back on violence, illustrating surrender to his humanity when it would be easier to embrace his dark past. His tragic flaws render him not only relatable but also deeply human, raising questions of loyalty and redemption.
Above all, Carlito’s Way elucidates how love and aspiration clash with the harsh realities of the world. The film paints Gail as Carlito's sanctuary, contrasting sharply with the materialistic and often ruthless women from Pacino’s earlier gangster roles. The film explores the dangers of loyalty against the backdrop of Carlito’s search for redemption, turning it from simply another gangster flick to something more relatable and emotionally potent.
Meanwhile, Pacino's exploration of vigilante themes continues with Righteous Kill, where he stars alongside Robert De Niro. This film, unlike many traditional gangster narratives, engenders complex reflections on morality through the lens of its lead characters, NYPD detectives Turk (De Niro) and Rooster (Pacino) who are both engrossed in finding the enigmatic “Poetry Boy” killer—one who seeks to bring justice by eliminating criminals. It draws tangential lines to Dexter, another series featuring similar thematic content, blurring the lines between morality and justice.
While on their quest, Turk and Rooster's friendship is strained due to suspicion and moral dilemmas, much like prior collaborations between the two actors, namely Heat and The Irishman. Each collaboration showcases recurring themes of confrontation, complicity, and moral ambiguity, emphasizing the tragic consequences of their choices as well as the consequences of their professions.
Both Righteous Kill and Dexter echo the unsettling truths about the criminal justice system, inviting the audience to grapple with their sympathies for characters who operate outside the law for perceived righteousness. This dichotomy serves to question ethical boundaries, leaving both audiences and characters pondering the cost of justice.
Al Pacino's roles across these films encapsulate the evolution of gangster cinema, bridging the gap between historical portrayals of crime figures and contemporary reflections on morality and personal choice. His characters endure and resonate, not due to their criminality but due to their humanity.
With works ranging from the operatic grandeur of The Godfather to the gritty emotional scrutiny of Carlito’s Way, Pacino’s impact on film is monumental and enduring. The themes he explores will continue to ignite discussions about morality and the human condition as audiences embrace the complexity of his work.
While Carlito’s Way is available for streaming on Pluto TV, one must undoubtedly appreciate not only the narratives woven through the films but also how Pacino has cemented his legacy as one of cinema's greats, always challenging perceptions of good and evil along the way. His films, forever relevant, undeniably open the door to reflection on our own judgments of character, morality, and the choices we make.