Donnie Brasco(1997)

When you see a actor repeatedly in same character you will feel jaded .It so happens with many of the great actors also. Because cinema is about versatility in many senses. Watching Alpacino kind of actors are always treat .That too in a Mafia character is much more than a treat if it is repeated also.I never get tired of watching Alpacino in a mafia character. He not only brings versatility but his language of Mafia elevates him much more than a showman.
Donnie Brasco directed by Mike Newell based on the real-life events of Joseph D. Pistone, an FBI agent who infiltered the Bonanno crime family, based in New York City during the '70s.Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp )of FBI Calling himself Donie Brasco enters goodwill cards of Lefty Ruggiero (Alpacino)who is a mob.One difference it makes from other Alpacino movies as a mob is that this movie is not about Alpacino .

It makes lots of sense in making so for this movie. Because it speaks on friendship, family relationships,Inheritancy and of course the mafia in deeper with each character having a true depiction of tragic life. Less of traits of Mafia this one true undercover movie with humour and reality .Alpacino and Depp look as a match with delicacy and humor. I can just take a look how wide this movie has covered not only focusing on the undercover assignment it takes in to consideration of many aspects of each characters. For example Joes strained relationship with his wife (Annie Heche).

Its rare to see a understated Alpacino in a mafia movie, but still his gestures represent the act of dominance in acting .One amazing thing of this movie is it shows out and out the lower machine of the Mafia in a larger way from their mindsets to family.So two of the lead characters go understated. The real frustration of denial and family can not be so evident like what Alpacino expressions with Mafia language. The friendship with Depp also is made as a different package if Pacino’s attitude being taken in to reference.The cast is multi strong which makes any body to expect a razor sharp activities of a mafia ,Like scarface or Goodfellas.But the muscular and blood shed activities are missing which makes a different presentation altogether on Mafia Epic.I can understand bringing a true story to celluloid less the cinematic melodrama would be the biggest task for any director.In fact movie Serpico like could have faced the same challenge .

Sonny Black(Michael Madison ) reminds me off the character of Robert De Niero in Good Fellas like less to say as a Don .Johny Depp is an amazing actor and through his body language he has gained strong reputation and as who can deliver tremendous and varied performances.Donie Brasco is one such example of it. It does not depict any brutal mobster activities apart from the restaurant scene (I loved that particular scene)but defines the moment before the activity.

Its so evident we compare this movie with many Mafia movies during the course but this has to be taken care. Because Donnie Brasco has a different say when compared to other movies.Most importantly this does not deal with Self esteem of a Don in a bigger picture like in Scarface or Good fellas.