Depp and Pacino make a Dynamic Duo

Rating: Null/10 (12 March 2003)

DONNIE BRASCO (1997) ***1/2 Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Anne Heche, Bruno Kirby, James Russo, Zeljko Ivanek, Paul Giamatti. Excellent true-life story account of FBI agent Joe Pistone (aka Donnie Brasco, portrayed superbly by Depp) who infiltrated the Mob in the early 1970s by hooking up with world-weary father figure/hitman Lefty Ruggiero (Pacino in a sterling turn) who confides in him all he needs to be wiseguy with the stakes getting higher the closer they get. Gritty, surprisingly funny script by Paul Attanasio and Mike Newell's smart easy going direction breathes fresh life into an otherwise been-there-done-that genre.