Solid Maffia Movie!

Rating: 9/10 (13 August 2007)

Finally, after 10 years, I watched Donnie Brasco. And that was the kind of experiment where you ask yourself "shit! How can it be that I didn't heard of this movie before??" To resume, Donnie Brasco tells the (true!)story of a special FBI agent, Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp), who infiltrated the New York Maffia at the end of the 70s. He becomes friends with Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), who let him slip into wheels of the organization around Sonny Black (Michael Madsen), lately with the rank of chief of Brooklyn. Ruggiero and Pistone (under the name of Donnie Brasco) become close whereas the group leaves to collect money for the boss. During all this time, Pistone collects evidences, photographs and audio tapes. But his investigation becomes more than that, whereas it also put in danger his marriage, his family life, his safety and his own life. As he makes his place in the Maffia group, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to freely communicate with the outside world, until he even has to cut its bond with the FBI during weeks whereas the Maffia suspect a rat in the organization. But the true dilemma to Pistone is that if he leaves his character and the Maffia, Ruggiero will be punished for letting Pistone coming in and helping him to integrate the organization One of the best Maffia movies I saw, Donnie Brasco was in nomination for the Best screenplay Oscar in 1998. Also, one of the best Al Pacino performances. And, according to the "making of" featurette included on the DVD, Johnny Depp really discussed with Joe Pistone and tempted to imitate not only his actions, but also his attitude, his step, his way of expressing himself and his nonchalance. Michael Madsen is also really brilliant in the role of Sonny Black. All the gangster activities are fascinating and we really want to know how they will find the rat.
Really excellent, very good suspense, brilliant performances by the actors It is just really strong! (For those which already watched it, I really hoped that Johnny Depp would not carry this mustache all the way through film!)