Excellent character-driven story

Rating: 10/10 (18 May 2012)

For people who don't like 'gangster movies', like myself, there are at least 3 reasons to watch 'Donnie Brasco".
It doesn't glamorize violence, unlike other movies of the genre. On the contrary, it deromanticizes the whole "Godfather" perspective. Although it has two disturbing scenes, those are relevant to the characters' development. It's "back to the real world" time, where there's nothing "mythical" anymore about being a mobster.
The superlative acting and great script. Al Pacino is amazing, and Depp is a great; the chemistry these two actors have here is exquisite. If they are multidimensional characters, it's also because of a good script and smart direction. Anne Heche and Michael Madsen are also very good in supporting roles.
It's a psychological, character-driven story, that goes beyond conventional 'good guys-bad guys'. "Donnie Brasco" is too sophisticated to make the usual point that cops and criminals are equally monstrous. There is a gruesome scene, where viewers get a sudden, shocking reminder, that these mobsters (including Pacino) are indeed, without any doubt, the bad guys. There is however an important common trait, made crystal-clear by director Mike Newell, between the police and the mafia.
In conclusion, this is the best gangster-movie so far (Sorry, but I find "The Godfather", "Casino" and the likes to be unwatchable crap).