Donnie Brasco (1997)
Al Pacino, Anne Heche, Bruno Kirby, James Russo, Johnny Depp ... (see more) , Michael Madsen , Paul Giamatti
In the 1970s, FBI undecover agent Joe Pistone infiltrates the mob, leaving his family behind and assuming the false persona of the jewel man Donnie Brasco. His assignment: to become a trusted insider with the infamous Bonanno family by gaining the confidence of a low-level gangster. Lefty Ruggiero i... (read more) In the 1970s, FBI undecover agent Joe Pistone infiltrates the mob, leaving his family behind and assuming the false persona of the jewel man Donnie Brasco. His assignment: to become a trusted insider with the infamous Bonanno family by gaining the confidence of a low-level gangster. Lefty Ruggiero is an aging, two-bit hit-man who sees a new future for himself with the smart, young thief Donnie Brasco and enlists him as his protege. Together the two men enter into a camaraderie that will not allow either one to distance himself emotionally. Meanwhile, Donnie begins to get lost in the distance between his real and undercover selves. As Donnie moves deeper and deeper into the Mafia chain of command, he realizes he is not only losing the line between federal agent and criminal, between who he pretends to be and who he actually is, he is also leading Lefty, his closest friend, to an almost certain death sentence.
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R, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed by:
Mike Newell
Release Date: Feb 28, 1997
DVD Release Date: Jan 20, 1998
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Flixster User Reviews
Great movie, great acting. This is the film that endeared me to Johnny Depp and the depth he goes to in his acting. Joe Pistone was the man! I once took a class that was basically all about him and the work he did as an undercover cop, great movie!
No one or any aspect really hits a peak here, but Pacino is as engaging as ever, there's a fine supporting cast and it's tale of torn loyalities works effectively throughout.
great acting! but what do you expect from Depp and Pacino in the same film?
This is what going undercover does to someone. I wont tell you what, but what happens to Depp's character Joe Pistone is what does happen. That's what i loved about it, it felt real, it felt honest. sure somethings were possibly wrong but it didn't a... (read more) This is what going undercover does to someone. I wont tell you what, but what happens to Depp's character Joe Pistone is what does happen. That's what i loved about it, it felt real, it felt honest. sure somethings were possibly wrong but it didn't affect the feel for the movie. Worth seeing.
Could have set it up better in the begginning. Story was kinda unclear. Pacino was good, but annoying. Depp was kind of dull, but satisfactory
Great mobster movie. The story is very well written and Depp and Pacino give outstanding performances.
I thought this movie was pretty good, other than the disappointing ending.
This flick is a nail-biter. The character development does not detract from the thriller aspects: Every second you're worried that the mole is either going to lose his home life by being away from it for so long, or his biological life by screwing up... (read more) This flick is a nail-biter. The character development does not detract from the thriller aspects: Every second you're worried that the mole is either going to lose his home life by being away from it for so long, or his biological life by screwing up and getting whacked. Good entertainment for an evening.
Critic Reviews
A first-class Mafia thriller that is also, in its way, a love story.full review
Pacino and Depp are a match made in acting heaven, riffing off each other with astonishing subtlety and wit.full review
The movie has many human qualities and contains what will be remembered as one of Pacino's finest scenes.full review
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