Reviews of Donnie Brasco

I Smell A Rat

Posted : 2 months, 4 weeks ago on 11 September 2009 02:11 (A review of Donnie Brasco)

Al Pacino in the mob, but this time, on the opposite side of the heirarchy. A low-level aging hitman who can't get no respect. One of the few times Al gets to expand his acting muscles as opposed to just flexing 'em with a loud performance, which, over the years, has sorta become his standard.
For me, a great gangster movie isn't just about "wacking" people. It's when it shows the inner-most details of how the mob works. This one goes towards the very lowest part of the totem & shows us how the "cogs" grind thru a living in hopes of someday climbing that mafia ladder.



8.5

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Can't forgeddaboudit!

Posted : 1 year, 6 months ago on 3 June 2008 06:14 (A review of Donnie Brasco)

The events portrayed in Donnie Brasco are loosely based around the true-story of Special Agent Joe Pistone and his six-year long undercover stint in one of the Mafia families of New York. The film documents the effects of the mission on Pistone's secret family life and his own personal psyche as he develops split loyalties between his FBI obligations and the new acquaintances he develops in the family.

Donnie Brasco - the undercover codename of Pistone, is played by Johnny Depp, who portrays an extremely confident and competent character. His accent and his mannerisms are both accurate and intricate, highlighting the extra depth Depp has added to his character. This is a good example of the power that Johnny Depp has to bring a character to life. However, his was not the best performance in the film. That honour instead must go to Al Pacino with his representation of Benjamin "Lefty Guns" Ruggiero, the ageing Mafioso who takes Donnie under his wing and vouches for his credibility to the family. Lefty is a spurned man who has seen his years of loyal service to the family result in nothing. He feels constantly overlooked and trains Brasco as his protege, turning him into a model 'wiseguy' with the hope that perhaps he can succeed where he himself has failed.

The chemistry between the two actors is superb, and you really feel that they are both good guys. You sympathise with Lefty and you root for both men to survive, knowing that the genuine friendship that has built between them will ultimately come to a destructive and treacherous end thanks to their occupations. It's nothing new for gangster film to accentuate the intense claustrophobia that comes with being a mafioso - the devaluation of human life and fragile loyalties make it seem like any false move will result in your death - but this film has you genuinely rooting for people on both sides of the coin. The charisma of both lead characters really wears off on you, though you are kept on your toes thanks to Donnie's undercover status. In all, Donnie Brasco is a fascinating film based on a remarkable story. It's not just another gangster film and it seems to be very underrated.

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100% Brilliant

Posted : 2 years, 1 month ago on 21 October 2007 08:34 (A review of Donnie Brasco)

By far one of the best if not the best mob/gangster movie I have seen. Based on a true story this film is absolutely brilliant.

It tells the true story of Joseph D. Pistone, an FBI agent who goes undercover as Donnie Brasco to find information on an aging hitman 'Lefty' and his gang. The information found out by Joseph was amazing and led to many convictions. But after a while Joseph's professional and personal lives collide, and he becomes more like the mob member he is pretending to be.

The acting was just brilliant. Johnny Depp was amazing, couldn't have been any better. This is yet another film that proves what an amazing actor he is. Al Pacino also acted well, I didn't really like his character though and I haven't seen many of his films, but he was fantastic as well in this film. The others that I can't name them all were great additions to the cast.

The book is supposed to be better than the movie, so I should check that out sometime. But I really, really enjoyed watching this masterpiece, I recommend this to anyone who loves Mob/Gangster movie and of course if you are a fan of Johnny Depp or Al Pacino you should really see this!

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