Review of Donnie Brasco (1997) by Al S — 13 Dec 2009

"Donnie Brasco" isn't your conventional mob movie, but it's a damn good one nonetheless. The life of a gangster is merely the backdrop for a movie about friendship. Under the direction of Mike Newell ("Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"), an innovative script and fine acting make this a unique addition to the crime genre.

After starring in movies like "Ed Wood," "Edward Scissorhands," and "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "Donnie Brasco" helped put Johnny Depp on the map. Depp stars as Joseph Pistone, a man working undercover for the F.B.I. as Donnie Brasco. Pistone grows close to a gangster by the name of Lefty, played perfectly by Al Pacino. Their relationship is at the heart of this movie, again using the life of a gangster as the backdrop.

Over the course of the 150-minute movie, we watch as Lefty immediately takes a liking to Pistone and Pistone slowly warms up to Lefty. Depp shows his amazing versatility in this film, and he isn't overshadowed by Pacino. In fact, he compliments him.

While the acting is a strong point of the film, another high point of the film is the way that Newell draws us into the life of a gangster. Scorsese drew us in to the glory and grandeur with "Goodfellas," but here Newell gives us insight into exactly how the life affects all those involved. Pistone in a sense becomes Brasco, forgetting the man that Pistone was. He becomes enveloped by the life of a gangster. He becomes distant from his wife and three daughters. After a while, he stops checking in with the F.B.I. This isn't about the downfall of a character though. It's about the conflict. Pistone tells his wife that he isn't becoming like them. He is them. He's developed such a close bond with Lefty that giving him up would be nothing less than betrayal.

Lefty, on the other hand, has been driven weary by the life. He confesses to Brasco that he'd do everything he could to leave the life. A touching moment occurs between Lefty and Donnie where Donnie offers him money to buy a boat to leave the life.

Another interesting detail that this film explores is the rules that they live by. This is a high point of the film. Lefty explains the lingo, look, and everything else about the lifestyle that has to be followed. We are given an even closer look into the inner workings of the mob. There's a humorous scene where Depp discusses the different meanings of "forget about it" with fellow F.B.I. agents, played by Tim Blake Nelson and Paul Giamatti.

Given the movie's focus on friendship, it's understandable why someone like Newell was chosen. However, Donnie Brasco is by no means light viewing. All too common in the gangster movie is the scene where we see someone get whacked. Rarely do we get to see what happens to the body afterward. There's a scene where mobsters pass out different tools to cut up the body. We watch as Pistone begins to saw the arm off the body of a man that was just whacked. In the convention other movies of its type, the violence in "Donnie Brasco" is brutal and gory. Newell doesn't shy away from the violent scenes that the script demands.

He does, however, have occasional pacing problems. However, such a triviality can be overlooked because of solid script and acting. No one overplays their role in this movie. There is a strong supporting cast, including Michael Madsen, James Russo, and Anne Heche. This movie is one of strong acting, expert direction, and a strong story.