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 Brigante Carlito's quick exit is halted by Pete Amadesso, Johnny Manzanero, and Joe Battaglia, a posse of Italian gangsters that were involved in the drug business before Carlito was arrested. Vinnie arrives at Carlito's club to join the other Italians and makes a comment about the lawyer. Carlito puts on a ruse, claiming he hasn't seen Kleinfeld lately. The mobsters recognize he's involved, and after Carlito gathers his money and escapes, they pursue him into a subway station. Carlito kills all of the mobsters except Vinnie, who is fatally injured and finished off by the police. As Carlito approaches Gail and