REVIEW: DONNIE BRASCO[1997]

REVIEW#15
MOVIE : DONNIE BRASCO [1997]
Genre: Crime Thriller
Cast : Al Pacino,Johnny Depp
Director: Mike Newell
IMBd rating: 7.8/10
Deeps rating: 7.5/10
Verdict: A good thriller with some good suspense and twists.Great performance from lead actors.

              First movie of Johnny Depp in my blog.Johnny was a new generation talent during the 90's.He had to work his way to the top.The ride was not easy for him during the 90's as Hollywood was ruled dominated by action movies and period dramas.But Johnny Depp managed to hold himself through his great talent and hard work.Perseverance is the word for his success.Now considered as one of the top billed actors in Hollywood,Johnny's ride to stardom started from this movie.Acting alongside the legend Al Pacino,he tried to match his acting dexterity in every frame.            
            The movie is all about Joseph D.Pistone [Johnny Depp],an FBI undercover agent who's assignment is to spy over the Bonanno mafia gang and report their movements to the officials.He had to infiltrate into the gang for this and he is helped by a coincidental interaction with an aging hit-man Lefty Ruggiero [Al Pacino].He introduces himself as Donnie to Lefty and he straight away impresses Lefty.Lefty seems to be a reasonable man with a family and someone who is bend over backwards as far as earning is concerned.Working in the mafia for 30 years he still owes a lot of money to others which keeps his life always under threat.Donnie could easily win him over as he helps him  with lots of money initially.Soon both become good friends and Lefty vouches for Donnie in the gang.As Donnie goes deeper into the Mafia,he realizes that he is becoming a part of the gang  entangled with every crime.

            He passes own information about the mafia to the federal agents but soon realizes that he being discovered as a rat will certainly put Lefty's life in trouble.Meanwhile his family life is in jeopardy as he could hardly find time for them.His wife becomes suspicious and he has to admit that he is becoming one like his mafia men,against whom he is supposed to act.FBI officials gets outsmarted many times which makes them disappointed with Donnie[joseph]. Lefty starts to suspect Donnie as a rat but keeps his information to himself as he cared for Donnie so much.Same way Donnie too tries to keep Lefty safe from officials but time and fate runs out of control.The thrilling twists and turns towards the climax makes this a great watch.
           The highlight of the movie is indeed  the performances of Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.Al Pacino is a legend and when it comes to gangster movies its a walk in the park for him.He depicts Lefty effortlessly and with pin point precision.Johnny Depp would have certainly benefited, acting along side the legend and he tries to travel apace with Al Pacino throughout the movie.
          The movie is fast paced and will never disappoint you anytime.Even though the language is brawny sometimes,which is understandable as it deals with mafia ,the movie doesn't contain any adult scenes.Give it a try this week end.

I am Deepak Unnikrishnan and I will be back with another Hollywood classic from the past,tomorrow.

TIP OF THE DAY: FORGIVING THEM ISN'T THE HARD PART.IT'S TRUSTING THEM AGAIN.