Terrific Entertainment!

Rating: 8/10 (30 October 2011)

Loosely based on the real-life events of Joseph D. Pistone, an FBI agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family, one of the Mafia's Five Families based in New York City during the 1970s, 'Donnie Brasco' comes out a winner cinematically. In short, it's Terrific Entertainment!
'Donnie Brasco' is crisply written, sharply directed, fantastically acted & stylishly edited. It brings a true-story on celluloid, most convincingly. The film begins superbly and culminates interestingly.
The characters work, the sequences are believable & the execution to the entire material, is spot-on. Paul Attanasio's Screenplay is crispy. Mike Newell's Direction is razor-sharp, while The Editing is stylish. Cinematography, also, deserves a mention.
Performance-Wise: Al Pacino is unbeatable. The Acting Giant performs fabulously from scene A to Z. Johnny Depp as Donnie Brasco, is exceptional. With this performance, Depp, proves how versatile he can be, given the right opportunity. Anne Heche is first-rate. Michael Madsen is excellent. Bruno Kirby is another topper. James Russo & Gerry Becker are good, as well. Others lend perfect support.
On the whole, 'Donnie Brasco' is winner all the way. It gets almost everything right.