Alright, folks, here’s a little spoiler warning for those of you who haven’t checked out ‘Carlito’s Way’ yet. And if you haven’t, you might want to after reading this. We’re talking about a classic directed by Brian De Palma. Now, let me break it down for you. In this flick, Al Pacino’s character, the one and only ‘Carlito Brigante,’ he goes and breaks Law 20 not once, but twice. Yeah, you heard me right. It’s the law that says, ‘Do Not Commit to Anyone.’ We’re diving into one of those instances in this post.
So, here’s the backstory, my friends. Carlito been serving five years of a thirty-year sentence when his lawyer, David Kleinfeld, played by Sean Penn, pulls off some legal magic and gets him out on a technicality.
Now, right around the halfway mark of the movie, Kleinfeld hits Carlito up for a favor, a big one. He wants him to help deal with a former client, Tony Taglialucci, portrayed by John Ortiz. But what Kleinfeld conveniently forgets to mention is that he ripped off Tony big time. We’re talking serious money—enough to fund a whole lavish lifestyle, mansion, luxury cars, and a freakin’ yacht.
Now, here’s where it gets real messy. Tony, while doing time, not only plans his escape but also figures out Kleinfeld’s little embezzlement scheme. Tony summons Kleinfeld for a prison chat. Picture this: Tony makes it abundantly clear to Kleinfeld that he’s onto him, that he knows where the money went. It’s a dire warning, one that leaves no room for misunderstanding, putting Kleinfeld in extreme danger if he doesn’t go along with Tony’s plan.
Carlito gets roped into this wild ride, agreeing to meet Tony out at sea. But what unfolds is pure insanity. Kleinfeld, instead of rescuing Tony, who’s barely hanging on to an ocean lighted buoy, proceeds to viciously take him out. This results in Carlito finding himself on a hit list for the murder of Tony.
Now, here’s the kicker, my friends. In my earlier post about ‘Goodfellas,’ I talked about Hank never committing to anyone. But could you ever imagine Hank from ‘Goodfellas’ agreeing to ride shotgun with a shady lawyer to bust out an imprisoned crime boss? I mean, never say never, right?
But seriously, Carlito’s decision to commit to Kleinfeld’s request, that’s what screws him over big time, and it’s Law 20 in action. It’s a lesson for us all. At work or in life, you might get asked to get involved in some shady stuff. It could be immoral, illegal, or just plain against the rules. Committing to that? Well, that’s a big no-no, a breach of Law 20, my friends.
This movie might not show it, but knowing how ruthless Kleinfeld is, it’s not a stretch to think he was ‘saving’ Carlito for a time when he could use him for something real dirty.
Remember, folks, some people out there are playing the long game, waiting for the right moment to exploit you, to get you to commit to ‘helping’ them. Be vigilant, because there are those who are just waiting for the perfect time to ‘Kleinfeld’ you.
And in Carlito’s defense, the streets change, man. He goes in with that old-school ‘honor among thieves’ code, but five years later, it’s all different. Kleinfeld’s got his eyes on the prize, viewing his clients as mere stepping stones. There are people out there who’ll see you the same way, as a means to an end. Not all of them are malicious, though. Sometimes, you get what you give.
So, what’s the takeaway? Law 20, my friends, it’s as relevant now as it ever was. Loyalty is a beautiful thing, but don’t let it be your downfall. And hey, take your time before diving headfirst into any belief or idea. Kleinfeld knew Carlito’s old-school loyalty made him the perfect target. Don’t be the one who falls for it.
Watch out for those beliefs that might make you ‘Kleinfeld’-able, folks.
AmpedThink 