run time: 127 mins
rated: 18A
considered: Biography, Crime, Drama
starring: Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Anne Heche, James Russo
movie summary: A FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life at the expense of his regular one. (www.imdb.com)
my thoughts: Johnny Depp plays one of my favourite roles as Donnie Brasco in this 1970s biopic of real-life FBI agent Joe Pistone. Depp is recruited to become “Don the Jeweler” and connect with the New York City Mafia. Al Pacino is brilliant as Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero, one of the biggest hitmen the mafia offers. Together, they vouch for each other, and both became deeply involved in the mob’s inner workings. Donnie loses his true identity the deeper he gets involved with Lefty and his crew, while the FBI has to get him out before the mob discovers his true identity.
The movie is based on the book written by Pistone after going into witness protection. The storyline has holes and slow parts, but Donnie Brasco is filled with all the drama, swearing, gunfire, and “whacking” you would expect from a gangster movie.
my star rating: 7 out of 10
Ten Stars or Less 
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