Donnie Brasco

Just based (Hollywood speak for we can take as many creative liberties as we want) on a true story. I watched the 2 hour special on the real life Donnie brasco (Joe Pistone) and it kinda ruined the movie for me but, this is still a great movie with the cast and plot line.

I don’t think any movie explains the workings of the mob better than Donnie Brasco.

Pacino turns in a very different kind of gangster performance than what we’re used to from him. Here he is not as bright as he thinks he is, he’s a bit insecure and kind of a sad flunky that’s still in the game mainly because he’s lived this long. As Donnie, Depp is deep undercover and obviously a little torn because he knows his contact’s fate isn’t going to be pleasant but he needs him to catch bigger fish. The film is compelling and involving and even funny with not only great performances from the two leads, but also from an impressive collection of character actors like Paul Giamatti, Tim Blake Nelson, Anne Heche and Michael Madsen (in a particularly arrogant and slimy role) to name a few. It dispels the romanticism about gangsters or the notion of honor among thieves. But it also questions how well the law treats its own heroes as well.

Top notch classic gangster cinema entertainment!