Donnie Brasco (film)
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| Director(s) | Mike Newell |
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| Distributor | Sony Pictures |
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| Based on a memoir by former undercover cop Joe Pistone (whose daring and unprecedented infiltration of the New York Mob scene earned him a place in the federal witness protection program), Donnie Brasco is like a de- romanticized, de-mythologized version of The Godfather. It offers an uncommonly detailed, privileged glimpse inside the world of organized crime from the perspective of the little guys at the bottom of Mafia hierarchy rather than from the kingpins at the top. Donnie Brasco is not only one of the great modern-day gangster movies… | |
Honors
Reviews
Amazon.com
Based on a memoir by former undercover cop Joe Pistone (whose daring and unprecedented infiltration of the New York Mob scene earned him a place in the federal witness protection program), Donnie Brasco is like a de- romanticized, de-mythologized version of The Godfather. It offers an uncommonly detailed, privileged glimpse inside the world of organized crime from the perspective of the little guys at the bottom of Mafia hierarchy rather than from the kingpins at the top. Donnie Brasco is not only one of the great modern-day gangster movies to put in the company of The Godfather films and GoodFellas, but it is also one of the great undercover police movies—arguably surpassing Serpico and Prince of the City in richness of character, detail, and moral complexity. Donnie (Johnny Depp, a splendid actor) is practically adopted by Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), a gregarious, low-level “made” man who grows to love his young protégé like a son. (Pacino really sinks into this guy’s skin and polyester slacks, and creates his freshest, most fully realized character since his 1970s heyday.) As Donnie acclimates himself to Lefty’s world, he distances himself from his wife (a terrific Anne Heche) and family for their own protection. Almost imperceptibly his sense of identity slips away from him. Questioning his own confused loyalties, unable to trust anybody else because he himself is an imposter, Donnie loses his way in a murky and treacherous no-man’s land. The film is directed by Mike Newell, who also headed up Four Weddings and a Funeral and the gritty, true crime melodrama Dance with a Stranger. —Jim Emerson
Barnes and Noble
Johnny Depp plays an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates the New York Mafia in this real-life crime thriller based on the memoirs of racket buster Joseph Pistone. It’s Depp’s least quirky starring role to date, and he’s surprisingly effective in it. Donnie Brasco paints a realistic, uncompromising picture of mob life not unlike Martin Scorsese’s Good Fellas, although Mike Newell’s direction avoids stark melodrama and injects humanity into the mobsters whenever possible. His approach is justified by the remarkable work of Al Pacino, whose portrayal of a minor soldier overshadows Depp’s generally subtle acting in the lead. Pacino is utterly convincing as a none-too-bright thug who values camaraderie and loyalty, and more than a few viewers will empathize with him. Anne Heche, given limited screen time, is also effective as Donnie’s long-suffering wife, who fears for her husband’s safety as he becomes deeply involved with the mobsters. Well scripted, with fine actors interpreting colorfully drawn characters, Donnie Brasco makes a welcome addition to the gangster-movie canon. The Special Edition DVD is loaded with extras that include theatrical trailers, deleted scenes, an isolated music score, a weblink and an exclusive featurette entitled “Donnie Brasco: Out From the Shadows.”
Ed Hulse
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Joseph D. Pistone, Richard Woodley
Posing as jewel thief “Donnie Brasco”, FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone carried out the most audacious sting operation ever, working undercover for six years to infiltrate the flamboyant and deadly community of Mafia soldiers, “connected guys”, captains and godfathers.
