Donnie Brasco (1997)

	Directed by: Mike Newell	COUNTRY USA Genre Crime/Drama NORWEGIAN TITLE Donnie Brasco RUNNING TIME 127 minutes
	Produced by: Louis DiGiaimo Mark Johnson Barry Levinson Gail Mutrux
	Written by: Paul Attanasio
	Based on a book by: Joseph D. Pistone Richard Woodley

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Lefty Ruggiero	Al Pacino
Donnie Brasco / Joseph D. Pistone	Johnny Depp	½
Sonny Black	Michael Madsen
Nicky Santora	Bruno Kirby
Paulie	James Russo	½
Maggie Pistone	Anne Heche
Tim Curley	Zeljko Ivanek
Dean Blandford FBI	Gerry Becker	-
Sonny Red	Robert Miano	-
Bruno Indelicato	Brian Tarantina	-
Richie Gazzo	Rocco Sisto	-
FBI Techincians	Tim Blake Nelson Paul Giamatti	-

Review

Johnny Depp and the rest of this production about FBI's undercover operation to infiltrate the Bonanno crime family is exquisitely stylish-looking in its pre-millennial 1970s nostalgia. The picture is like a postcard for slick hair, squeaking leather jackets, and big collared shirts, worn by tough-talking guys who more often than not talk past one another and resolve any misunderstandings with the omni-meaning phrase "Forget about it!" Al Pacino plays Lefty Ruggiero, a constantly overlooked, semi-important cog in the wheel. He strikes up a friendship with undercover FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone (Depp), who poses as the seemingly loyal and trustworthy jewel thief Donnie Brasco, and gradually Lefty introduces him into the family. The script by Paul Attanasio (Quiz Show), based on Mr. Pistone's own autobiography, is among the best written in the mobster genre. It details the organization's combined complexity and banality with clarity and fervour. You get sucked into this world, not because it's so frigging interesting, but because you start caring for these people. They're all more or less small, insecure boys acting tough. And there is a deeply human side to everything they do. In the midst of Mike Newell's slickly produced, handsomely photographed film – arguably his magnum opus – there is a moving, constantly fascinating and nuanced story about friendship, loyality and distrust. And Al Pacino and Johnny Depp create dynamite playing off of each other. They both give close to career-best performances.