underrated

Rating: 9/10 (8 December 2006)

A great movie that probably doesn't get its due because of inevitable comparisons to Goodfellas (few movies match up against that competition).
The added element here, of course, is the FBI infiltration by Pistone, played by Johhny Depp. This was the first Depp movie that made me sit up and take notice of him other than as a "young" star. He's actually playing two characters within the movie. FBI agent Pistone and wiseguy Donnie. What I like about the performance is that he does a great job as Pistone acting as Donnie, making you believe you could have fooled all these wary, paranoid wiseguys.
Pacino as Lefty is another fantastic performance in what is now of the most powerful bodies of work by a male film actor. Compare this sad jamoke to his opposite on the spectrum of Mafia movie characters, Michael Corleone, and you have to remind yourself that it's the same actor playing both parts.
The supporting case is superb, especially Michael Madsen and Anne Heche.
9/10