Donnie Brasco (Wide Screen)

Advantages: A damn good film
Disadvantages: None

...York Mafia, with the pseudonym Donnie Brasco! He does this mainly by befriending Lefty Ruggiero, played by the man himself, Al Pacino. The relationship that builds between Depp and Pacino is excellent, the two becoming very firm friends, and Depp begins to worry for Lefty’s safety, especially when the time comes for him to pull out and blow the whistle. That is basically what the movie is about! Although as usual there is more to it than that, ...
...Weddings and a Funeral, directs Donnie Brasco very competently. No corners are cut and the violence, when it comes is brutal and often very graphic, so be warned. On a final note this movie is a true story, which is pretty mind blowing when you see what Depp’s character has to go through, and the information he gathered all the time he was there, usually by way of a wire (Not advisable) helped to get something like 200 convictions! So Depp ... Read review

Advantages: Pacino ,Depp ,Great film and great value for money.Buy it if you enjoyed Goodfellas.
Disadvantages: None.

...Donnie Brasco was the fictional name given an FBI undercover agent who sucessfully infiltrated the Mafia in the late 70's.He spent 6 years living as a mobster and during his time became very close to the hitman played by Al Pacino.The relationship between the two men is what makes this film so good. When you see Al Pacino's playing the joint leading role in a film this makes the film necessary viewing.The addition of Johnny Depp into the equation ...
...set support of the real Donnie Brasco .aka.Joe pestone.This man still has a contract on his head for $500000 dollars,for his role as the real Donnie.He would have made a great actor in his own right as he lived a lie for 6 years.The impact on his real family is shown in the film.The film also had a real mobster giving technical advice and this also adds the the films authenticity,which any good Mafia film needs . While contemplating the viewing ... Read review

Advantages: Superb acting & directing, pace, score, etc. etc. etc.
Disadvantages: Absolutely None!

Even though Donnie Brasco didn't quite set the box office alight on its 1997 release, it did win huge applause from critics & serious movie-goers across the board. Under the directorship of Englishman Mike Newall, who's portfolio for film direction is long but fairly undistinguished with the exception of Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). Newall adapted the published memoirs of Joe Pistone (under the name of Donnie Brasco), a real-life FBI agent ...
...the film as Depp finally wins the confidence from Pacino and the infiltration begins in earnest. Coupled with the superb acting & direction I would have to add marvellous cinematography & haunting but moving score. Donnie Brasco is one of my films of the 90s and comes highly recommended. ... Read review

Advantages: Great script , great acting
Disadvantages: Maybe a touch too long for the content

...ratio: 2.35:1 Certificate: 18 Donnie Brasco is the 'true' story of an undercover FBI agent Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) who assumes the identity of a Jewler named Donnie Brasco in order to infiltrate the Mafia. His first contact comes through a hitman, Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). Needless to say, things don't all go according to plan. The story is initially very engaging. Depp is typically excellent in perhaps one of his more 'mainstream' roles. ...
...on it's prey just before Donnie comes into the room. One could level the accusation that the film is laced with the usual mobster cliches, for example gangsters hijacking a truck, or arguing over a card game, and the usual police diagram of the mob's structure in 'family tree' form. However, most of these cliches are dispensed with in a brief montage rather than dwelled upon, which is nice to see. Tension is built very effectively throughout the ... Read review

Advantages: Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Excellent depiction of friendship
Disadvantages: Bit slow at times

...by what he sees? Donnie Brasco(1997) starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp, is a mobster movie, which seeks to look at some of the above issues. Lefty Rugeiro( Pacino) is an ageing Mob hitman who feels bitter and left out after 26 years of serving the Bonnano mafia family in New York. As he says "I got 26 hits under my belt and nothing to show for it". He meets Donnie Brasco( Depp) at a restaurant and impressed by him, he takes him under his wings. ...
...in heavy debt. Lefty sees Donnie as the surrogate son, he always wanted to have, and takes him under his wings, like a protective father figure. He wants to see the success in Donnie, which he never achieved in his life. Only unknown to him, Donnie is not a hoodlum. In fact his real name is Joe Pistone, and he is an undercover FBI agent, used to infiltrate the Mob, and capture evidence that could bring down the Bonnano family. Every time Lefty, ... Read review