Movie #53 -- Donnie Brasco

Title: Donnie Brasco

Director: Mike Newell

Release Year: 1997

Plot Summary: Johnny Depp is an FBI agent trying to expose the mob in New York City.

Thoughts: What a fantastic cast! Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, Michael Madsen (who steals every scene that he is in) and, yes, Anne Heche (who gives us here finest work as an actress).

Depp is Special Agent Joe Pistone (a.k.a. Donnie Brasco) who does an excellent job of uncovering the seedy underworld of the New York City mafia. His accent is spot on throughout the film. Al Pacino turns in a good performance as Lefty Ruggiero, a lifetime criminal who feels he's been wronged most of his career. But the real star of this film is the malevolent Michael Madsen as crime syndicate boss Sonny Black -- as I mentioned above, he simply owns this movie. You can't take your eyes off of him anytime he is on screen.

I really like this movie, aside from the fact that it runs a bit slow at times. It's a character-driven piece to be sure but the 'plot' falls a little thin from time to time. However, there is enough fine acting to see your way clear of a merely average plot. The scene in the basement with Al Pacino and Michael Madsen when they murder some made men is fantasic (think: the "There was a firefight!" scene from The Boondock Saints) and the dialogue between Al Pacino and Johnny Depp in the Cadillac at the end of the film is nothing short of brilliant.

Rating (0-10): 8.1

Recomendations: If you liked Goodfellas, you will like this movie. It's usually availabe at best buy for $10 or so and I would recommend picking it up at that price.