PackBacker
09-24-2000, 02:10 AM
Ah a much better second film for the evening!
"Donnie Brasco", starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp, is a gangster film with a bit of a twist. This time one of the main players in the film is a FBI agent who is undercover and trying to reconcile between his two lives. Depp risks alienating his wife and family against the life of a new friend (Pacino).
Most of the classic elements of a mob film are present. We have paranoia of behind-the-back deals, warring factions, some bloody shoot-outs, and various ways to outsmart the cops. What we get that is new is a cops' perspective on the mob life as well as a more in depth view of one of the mob characters. Pacino plays an aging wise guy who has failed to move up through the ranks. He is loyal to the cause but his frustration and disappointment show. It is a frank portrayal of a sad man dedicated to a cause (albeit one of crime) that is getting him nowhere yet he cannot leave it.
Depp and Pacino both turn in terrific performances. Depp has the ultra cool look down and his eyes do a lot of his talking with harsh glares. Pacino's eyes also speak louder than his words. The eyes give a baleful look to his character who laments his station in life. Anne Heche suprised me in the film; I didn't want to immediately turn it off when she was on-screen. Although her performance wasn't memorable, she didn't ruin the film as she has so many others.
The time period was also captured with a great use of music and costumes. The seventies were one hell of a wacky time and they nailed the suits and funky shirts of the time. Overall, the story was fresh for a mob film and the performances were above average. My grade of 7.5 might be a bit low....8 may be a better choice. Very good film.
"Donnie Brasco", starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp, is a gangster film with a bit of a twist. This time one of the main players in the film is a FBI agent who is undercover and trying to reconcile between his two lives. Depp risks alienating his wife and family against the life of a new friend (Pacino).
Most of the classic elements of a mob film are present. We have paranoia of behind-the-back deals, warring factions, some bloody shoot-outs, and various ways to outsmart the cops. What we get that is new is a cops' perspective on the mob life as well as a more in depth view of one of the mob characters. Pacino plays an aging wise guy who has failed to move up through the ranks. He is loyal to the cause but his frustration and disappointment show. It is a frank portrayal of a sad man dedicated to a cause (albeit one of crime) that is getting him nowhere yet he cannot leave it.
Depp and Pacino both turn in terrific performances. Depp has the ultra cool look down and his eyes do a lot of his talking with harsh glares. Pacino's eyes also speak louder than his words. The eyes give a baleful look to his character who laments his station in life. Anne Heche suprised me in the film; I didn't want to immediately turn it off when she was on-screen. Although her performance wasn't memorable, she didn't ruin the film as she has so many others.
The time period was also captured with a great use of music and costumes. The seventies were one hell of a wacky time and they nailed the suits and funky shirts of the time. Overall, the story was fresh for a mob film and the performances were above average. My grade of 7.5 might be a bit low....8 may be a better choice. Very good film.