Carlito's Way (1993)

Sprung from prison on a legal technicality by his cocaine-addled attorney, former drug kingpin Carlito Brigante stuns the local underworld when he vows to go straight. Taking a job managing a glitzy, low-life nightclub, he tracks down his onetime girlfriend and rekindles their romance, promising he's changed for good. But Carlito's dream of going legitimate is undermined at every turn by murderous former cronies and even deadlier young thugs out to make a name for themselves.

If I had to pick the movies that made Pacino my favorite actor, it would be this underrated classic. He is both a man's man and a lady's man. He show humor and bravado. He plays a character who can be your best friend, or your worst enemy. Pacino is in top form here, working with good actors, a fine script, and a well told story. His best scenes are with Penelope Ann Miller and Sean Penn (who also shines). He gets your attention from his opening speech, where he's making a statement to the court that sounds like an Academy Awards speech. Very entertaining and humorous. It get even better from there, as he goes through a whole range of emotions, portraying a very interesting character, and making him even more interesting. I loved it!