Donnie Brasco

Donnie Brasco (1997) is a commendably understated crime drama. At first glance it's another Scorsese clone, complete with period soundtrack and impulsive street crooks. But this tale of an undercover FBI agent scores points for a good cast and strong characterization.

Jewelry fence Donnie Brasco (Johnny Depp) gains the attention of second-tier gangster Lefty Ruggero (Al Pacino) by spotting a counterfeit diamond. Donnie befriends Lefty, who brings him into "Sonny Black's" (Michael Madsen) criminal enterprise. Lefty doesn't know that Donnie is actually Joseph Pistone, an undercover FBI Agent. Donnie/Joe finds himself increasingly absorbed by the gang, becoming an accessory to a multitude of crimes. His moral disgust is amplified by his superiors' seeming indifference and his nagging wife (Anne Heche).

Donnie Brasco avoids the flash of Goodfellas, depicting his gangsters as weather-beaten working class stiffs. Lefty doesn't share the tawdry glamor of a Corleone or Henry Hill, living in a rat hole apartment with his son and girlfriend. His decades in the mob seem worthless, especially when Sonny supersedes him. Donnie's initiation is credible: we don't feel the incredulity of White Heat or The Departed, where the crooks seem idiotic for not fingering the informer. Nor is there any disingenuous nobility about Mob "loyalty." When Donnie tells Lefty they've killed an innocent man, Lefty says it doesn't matter because Sonny ordered it. Donnie loses his moral compass after beating a waiter half to death to avoid being exposed. Yet Donnie and Lefty's friendship is real, making Donnie's job even harder. 

For all its verisimilitude, Donnie Brasco remains within comfortable dramatic confines. Paul Attanasio's script adheres to a lot of gangster cliches, from to the two-dimensional supporting cast to the familiar betrayal dynamics. The subplot with Donnie/Joey sparring with his wife doesn't add much either. Director Mike Newell commendably keeps the violence limited to a single messy hit and a brutal beatdown. Fortunately, the Donnie-Lefty partnership smooths over the rough patches.

Johnny Depp gives a fine performance, ably showing Donnie's moral decay, guilt and frustration. Needless to say, it's far more interesting than his repetitive nutcase parade of late. Al Pacino is surprisingly subdued as a blue collar mobster far removed from Michael Corleone. Anne Heche does her best to overcome an underwritten role. Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs) makes an intimidating villain and there's good support from James Russo (Once Upon a Time in America), Bruno Kirby (The Godfather Part II) and Zeljko Ivanek (John Adams). Look out for Paul Giamatti in an early-career bit.

Donnie Brasco doesn't break new ground but it's certainly enjoyable. The strong pair of central performances saves it from being a mere Goodfellas clone.