Movie: Donnie Brasco

This is one of the mob classics i've neglected to watch over the years. I'm glad i finally got around to it. Johnny Depp and Al Pacino both put on spectacular performances. After seeing so many of this type of film the stories sort of all melt together, so it's important for a film like this to build realistic relationships between the characters and that's exactly what was accomplished. I thought Lefty's reaction to Donnie's outing as an FBI agent was unique in this sort of genre. He said simply "If it was going to be anyone, i'm glad it was him." Normally the character would go into a blind rage and set fire to everything in sight until either killing the accused or getting himself killed, but this was more real. It confirmed the fact that they were close on a deeper level than mob vs. FBI. They were like family, Brasco was Lefty's son, filling the void left by his actual son who spent all of his time with drugs. The only criticism i can think of is just that i didn't feel close to any other character in the movie. The focus never left Pacino and Depp, which was a little disappointing, but i understand that that's exactly why i felt so close to them. It took the entire canvas of the movie to portray those two characters. I think the only movie of this type that actually achieved building a generous handful of memorable characters is The Godfather, which is why it reigns supreme in this genre, for me at least.

4/5