When Johnny Depp Launches Al Pacino
In 1997, Johnny Depp was a star and had already distinguished himself in collaborations with recognized directors such as Tim Burton (Edward scissor hands, Ed Wood), Jim Jarmusch (Dead man) or Emir Kusturica (The Arizona Dream). In 1998 and 1999 he played the lead role of Las Vegas Paranoid by Terry Gilliam, then that of The Ninth Gate by Roman Polanski and The Sleeping Valley by Tim Burton. But this year 1997, in addition to directing his first feature film The bravecomposes an unforgettable duet with the legend Al Pacino in the film about the mafia Donnie Brasco.
1978, New York. Under the name of Donnie Brasco, an FBI agent infiltrates the Bonanno clan. But to become an unsuspecting mole, he has broken all personal ties. Forced to constantly compose, he gradually and reluctantly adopts the ways and mentality of his new environment.
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An ambitious film and an exceptional cast
Critically and commercially successful upon its release, Donnie Brasco by Mike Newell must be commended for its audacity. Indeed, in a decade in which there have already been successful releases The Freedmen, The impasse, Casino, Heat OR pulp Fiction“gangster” cinema is at its peak and the level is very high.
With a classic approach, Mike Newell still succeeds in his bet. He knows that sobriety suits this type of detective story, especially when shooting a film based on a true story, and that therefore it will be up to the “faces” of the casting to bring madness, charisma and emotion to this agent’s story. undercoversettling of scores and constant paranoia.
We thus remember the virile and violent performance of Michael Madsen, the naive and touching one of Al Pacino, and the dramatically successful one of Johnny Depp. In a subtle “meta” maneuver, he plays alongside a legend of cinema, Al Pacino, whose character shows himself as attractive and convincing as possible in comparison to that of Al Pacino, in order to eliminate him once and for all… The story of a character, but also the story of a young actor of great talent who has come to claim the first place in a genre of cinema as popular as it is prestigious.
Carried by his casting, Donnie Brasco delights the public, especially the French one, who gives him a rating of 4/5 on Allociné.
Donnie Brasco Tells a True Story
The screenplay by Donnie Brasco is based on the book Donnie Brasco: My Life Undercover in the Mafiapublished in 1988. It is the autobiographical story of FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone, who between 1976 and 1981 infiltrated the Bonanno clan, a large New York mafia family, under the name of “Donnie Brasco”. During his infiltration mission, he becomes particularly close to Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero, played in the film by Al Pacino.
With freedoms, Donnie Brasco tells the true story of Joseph D. Pistone and his relationship with “Lefty.” Screenwriter Paul Attanasio’s adaptation work is recognized with a nomination forOscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2024.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
