Carlito's Way in the first place. The film is based mainly on "After Hours", but used the title of the first novel to avoid it being confused with Martin Scorsese's 1985 film of the same name. "Carlito's Way" received a mixed response from critics, with a similar lukewarm result at the box office, but has subsequently become a cult film. Both Penn and Miller received Golden Globe nominations for their performances. A prequel titled "", based on the first novel, was released direct-to-video in 2005. In 1975, after serving 5 years of a 30-year prison sentence, Carlito Brigante is freed on a
Carlito's Way: Rise to Power the entire Bottolotta Family. Carlito, Rocco and Earl fly to the islands with Earl for his wedding. Earl retires, and Carlito reunites with Leticia, retiring temporarily. The character of Hollywood Nicky played by Sean Combs is based on real New York City drug lord Nicky Barnes. In the film, the character Earl played by Mario Van Peebles makes a reference to Governor Rockefeller setting some new drug laws into effect. This is in reference to the Rockefeller drug laws which are tough mandatory sentencing laws for drug dealers. Three actors appear in both Carlito's Way films: Luis Guzmán plays Pachanga