Rating: 
Summary: Keeping the Genre Fresh
Review: Like Westerns, gangster films are a unique, American invention; our fascination for these movies seems hard to understand at times, considering the amoral and destructive actions of the patriarchal characters involved. Perhaps in spite of these deficiencies, gangster movies allow us to look at criminals as human beings, as flawed and unfortunate as the rest of us. Donnie Brasco, far more than other movies in the genre, takes this possibility and turns it into the driving force behind its emotional impact. It is a welcome relief from the near-glorification of gangster life in late 80s and early 90s movies such as Casino, Scarface, and others, and it injected a much-needed dose of nitro. Donnie Brasco's gangsters aren't your rich, creme de la creme godfathers - they are the underlings, involved in a lifestyle they can no longer refuse.The film follows FBI Agent Joe Pistone, who is undercover in Brooklyn as Donnie Brasco, jeweler (Johnny Depp, in one of his best movie roles). After winning the trust and confidence of low-budget hitman "Lefty" (Al Pacino, who should have been nominated for an Oscar), "Donnie" begins to move around in the New York underworld. When the old boss is "whacked," another mobster seizes the opportunity and gains control, allowing "Donnie" to go further into the mob scene than any undercover cop ever did before. Eventually, the lines between work and self break down, making Donnie's ultimate decision all the more visceral and real. Based on a true story, Donnie Brasco rings true throughout, uncompromising and unflinching. Depp and Pacino deliver outstanding performances, and Anne Heche, in a supporting role as Joe's increasingly frustrated wife, shines in her best role to date. The plot, too, moves along at a steady clip, never losing momentum and never slipping into the easy, moralizing path this film could easily have taken. The only real problem was at the beginning of the film, where things seem to happen without much reason, but causes and effects are easily inferred. This DVD Special Edition has a very informative commentary track, and a few non-necessary deleted scenes. The picture and sound, however, are fantastic; nary a scratch or dust spot on the print, and the sound is as clear and well-mixed as can be expected. The featurettes are interesting, but seem a little too short (as do many DVD featurettes). The movie is bound to become a classic, not only in the gangster genre but in American filmmaking as well. It's a special Special Edition, and definitely worth the cost. If you are a fan of the film, a fan of movies, or a fan of DVD, add this title to your collection as soon as you can.
Rating:
Summary: THis movie is awesome!
Review: I picked up this book in the library and could not put it down and decided I HAD to own this DVD. Although the movie differs from the book on a few points, it is still true to the story and tells it with such emotion. You can feel Donnie's heartbreak at betraying his friend and you can see the hurt in the "wiseguys" who don't want to believe Donnie was from the other side. Excellent movie, excellent book, buy them both!
Rating: 
Summary: Depp- finest actor around
Review: Johnny Depp is by far my favorite actor, and his talent as well as his smoldering good looks, shine through in this movie. Al Pacino is also marvelous as Lefty. I read this novel and I wish that the movie had started with Agent Pistones adjustment into the mobster world, which the book explains perfectly.
Rating:
Summary: MAFIOSO !!!!!!!
Review: AL PACINO JOHNNY DEPP MAFIA , DRUGS , KILLINGS 187 , BASIC MAFIA MOVIE THAT I LIKE ALOT.BUY THIS MOVIE GOOD FLICK.JOHNNY DEPP IS A FBI AGENT THAT GOES UNDERCOVER,A MAFIA.IN THE LONG RUN WHEN THE WARS START DONNIE IS SO USED TO THE MAFIA LIFESTYLE HE BECOMES IN DANGER.SO THEN AL PACINO-- WELL WATCH FOR YOURSELF.
Rating: 
Summary: Read the Book
Review: The movie on it's own merit was alright, but I read the book first. The movie pales in comparison to the book. There are scenes in the movie that never took place. In fact the movie was kind of hard to stomach. The real Donnie Brasco, (Joe Pistone) tells a much more gripping story in the book. Maybe the movie should have been whacked along with Sonny Black.
Rating:
Summary: great gangster flick
Review: This is one of my favorites. Depp and Pacino are magnificent together. Anne Heche is also very good. This film would be perfect if Michael Madsen wasn't in it. Madsen, as always, puts out another dull and predictable role. Wrong choice in this film.
Rating: 
Summary: Stay True
Review: To me there were some boring parts in this movie but Johnny Depp, Pacino, and Anne Heche elevated the standards. Normally most movie don't make me feel sad but this one hit me in the heart. Specially at the end. I could feel the camaraderie between Depp and Pacino even though they were on complete extremes. The infiltration by Brasco was exciting at all times b/c you never knew when he was going to get "wacked." Also the intriguing part about this story is that it was a true story. That makes the characters and acting seem more real b/c it really happened. I believe that this is one of Depp's best performances that I've seen and this adds another angle to the mafia underworld. I wouldn't get this again, but I would surely see it again.
Rating:
Summary: A Thinking Person's Organized Crime Film.
Review: I didn't think this film was all that good while I was watching it, but afterwards all of the subtle touches came streaming back. Organized crime simply cannot be as glamorous as films like "The Godfather" portray it; it consists of petty details like two-bit hoods trying to break into parking meters and shaking down bar owners. This film captures that reality, while at the same time riveting the viewer's attention. Al Pacino, once again, is magnificent. In this case, however, he has a co-star (Johnny Depp) who holds his own, and then some. Good stuff. At the price, this is a great bargain.
Rating:
Summary: Elegiac and lovely
Review: Sad and wholly authentic story of an FBI man sent to weasel his way into the core of a Mafia clan and bring them down from the inside. Johnny Depp (probably the best young actor working today) is the agent, while Pacino is the mobster who adopts him into his circle of criminal friends. A father/son relationship emerges, but is punctuated by many fresh and insightful turns and twists. Example: Pacino's character is terrified that he's going to be knocked off when his friends come for him, but instead they're there to give him a pet lion (which is in itself symbolic). Brilliant and literate script, tight direction, and a downbeat ending which hits exactly the right downbeat. Sterling effort all around. An unjustly ignored movie that's at least as telling about the mob lifestyle as "GoodFellas".
Rating:
Summary: Donnie Brasco
Review: I just loved this movie. Al Pacino is terriffic as usual. With this movie you enter the mafia world in New York during the 70's and it grows under your skin. The scene where Johnny Depp try to explain to his collegues what "forget about it" means is a masterpiece. The script is so good that you'll want to see the movie again and again. I truly recommend it.
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