Donnie Brasco
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Movie Reviews of Donnie Brasco
Movie Review: "You go in alive, you come out dead. "
Summary: 5 Stars
The title of this review is a phrase said by one Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggerro. In the same way some war veterans talk of nothing but their heroics, struggles and the mechanics of their war, Lefty is obsessed with the mythology of the mafia. Toobad for him he is less a Godfather and more of a small fish on the mafia foodchain. The rest of that phrase is "...and its your best friend that does it." Donnie Brasco tells the story of undercover agent Joe Pistone's (Johnny Deppy) ifilteration of the mob in 1978. He introduces himself as "Don the jeweller". He immediately gains the respect and love of Lefty (Al Pacino), and he is presented to the rest of the crew as a "a friend of Lefty's". You see, if he is a "friend of Lefty's" that means he is a connected guy, if he were a "friend of ours" that would make him a made guy. Donnie Brasco will not disappoint fans of the genre, it has all the mob talk, the back alley butcherings and the tense stand offs. But what makes the film the masterpiece that it is, the warm and brilliantly acted and realised central relationship between Donnie/Joe and Lefty. I read an interview with director Mike Newel where he called the film "a love story", and that is absolutely right.
People often accuse Al Pacino of hamming it up and going for an autopilot "whoa" performance in many of his films, like his Satan in The Devil's Advocate. Nevermind the fact that Pacino's autopilot is more gripping then most actors' most vivid characterisation, his performance in Donnie Brasco is arguably his best. As Lefty Ruggerro he is both heartbreaking and frightening, ruthless and all too human. He delivers his lines with is patented fiery intensity, but this time he lets you know he's bluffing, that he' can't back up that big mouth of his. He shines in two particular scenes, one in the hospital and the other is final haunting scene. I will not describe them here. See them for yourself.
Donnie Brasco was released in the spring of 1997, and since the Academy has a pathetically short memory, the film only managed one Oscar nomination which was for Paul Attanasio screen adaptation. When they ignored Pacino's performance here, that is when they completely lost credibility with me.
Is Donnie Brasco one of the best gangster pictures ever made? Fuggedaboutit (in the positive sense of the phrase). It deserves to sit at the same table and have coffee on the house with the masterpiece of the genre, Goodfellas.
Movie Review: One of the best of the nineties!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not just yet another mobster movie; it certainly is one of the best of the genre. I haven't read the book but I found this movie so real and intense. I'm not going to write anything about Pacino since we're all used to his magnificient performances every time he's onscreen or on stage; it's certainly Johny Depp who gives the best performance in this movie, but I'd not like to forget Madsen who is simply fascinating (can a mobster be?). I've seen this movie so many times and after all these years I still enjoy it.Movie Review: mafiosos have hearts too
Summary: 5 Stars
My father was one of the men working on Sonny's crew back in the seventies before everybody got hauled in. Now he's dead, but one of his last words were, "If you see agent Donnie, if he shows his face again, tell him that I love him and I forgive him." As the movie portrays, it was hard for everyone in the family to not like Donnie Brasco(Joe Pistone). He should've just came forward about his identity. Something could've been worked out.Movie Review: The greatest movie of all time!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm still not quite sure why I chose this above Goodfellas but the more I watch it the clearer it becomes. Al Pacino is as always brillant but what shocked me is just how convincing a display Jonny Depp puts on. It is simply the best gangster film around. Jonny Depp plays an undercover cop who once entering the mob finds its life style too much to leave. This is a must for all gangster lovers out there!Movie Review: Donnie Brasco
Summary: 5 Stars
I always catch alot of grief for this, but I gotta say this is one of the greatest mobster movies of all time. This movie grips you right from the get go. The story line is awesome. And Depp and Pacino together are priceless. If you don't like this movie... "Forget about it".