If you know your Godfathers and Goodfellas, you'll like this.

Rating: 8/10 (4 January 2012)

If you are genned up on your Godafathers and Goodfellas, you'll feel on familiar territory with Mike Newell's 'Donnie Brasco'. Based on true events, and indeed the book of Joseph Pistone, our lead character, the film is a very good gangster story that not only examines the life of a 'wiseguy' but also explores the futility and once again, the ultimate destruction and downfall that seems to befall everyone who signs up to the life. Al Pacino is truly great as 'Lefty', so much so, that it's hard not to feel compassion for his character, before remembering, 'this guy is a murderous sociopath'. Johnny Depp is good as Pistone, and there are moments of real tension between the two main characters. Ultimately, this film is about betrayal, friendship and what really matters in life. Depps 'Pistone' gives up everything he loves for the job, and when he looks back, he has to ask himself, 'Was it all worth it?'