“Wiseguy’s always right. Even when he’s wrong, he’s right.” —Lefty
Today’s quick review: Donnie Brasco. When FBI agent Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp) goes undercover as Donnie Brasco, a jeweler with criminal potential, he catches the eye of Lefty (Al Pacino), a longtime member of the New York mob. Lefty inducts Donnie into the world of organized crime and, unknowingly, provides him with a wealth of incriminating information. But as his assignment drags on, Joe finds his personality and his priorities beginning to change.
Donnie Brasco is a crime drama with an emphasis on character and a strong pair of leads. Based on a true story, Donnie Brasco offers competent writing, a well-constructed plot, and the acting needed to make them sparkle. The movie has little that can’t be found in other crime movies, and its individual components are rough around the edges. But Donnie Brasco avoids any major mistakes, and its pieces come together in a satisfying and oddly sentimental way.
Donnie Brasco is notable for its impressive lead characters. Al Pacino plays Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero, an underappreciated member of the mob who takes Donnie under his wing. Lefty makes a bad first impression: argumentative, bad with money, an dan admitted murderer. But his loyalty to Donnie, his mistreatment by his crime family, and his troubled personal life gradually morph him into a sympathetic character, a transition that Pacino handles with skill.
For his part, Johnny Depp plays a similarly fascinating character in Joe Pistone, alias Donnie Brasco. Quiet, sharp, and helpful, he settles into an almost genuine friendship with Lefty. But his exposure to the criminal world begins to affect his speech, his attitude, and his temper, isolating him from his family and sending him down a dark path. The relationship between Donnie and Lefty is the single most rewarding aspect of the movie.
Watch Donnie Brasco when you are in the mood for a character-based crime drama. Although the film’s individual pieces are imperfect, enough quality shines through in the acting and writing for the viewer to actually invest, a property that sets Donnie Brasco apart from less successful crime dramas. Skip it if you are looking for action, a complicated plot, or an upbeat story.
7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for good writing and moving acting.