Friday, 2/28/97
‘Donnie Brasco’ gets fresh with mafia genre
English director Newell coaxes restrained performance from
Pacino
By Brandon Wilson
Daily Bruin Staff
Al Pacino can sometimes make a person wonder where all the hype
comes from, like many actors of his esteemed generation. The actor
finally snagged an Oscar, after laboring for years without
recognition, for his hambone over-the-top portrayal of a blind
ex-army man in "Scent of a Woman," and since then has seemed
content to keep his performances in the stratosphere (see Michael
Mann’s "Heat" if you need convincing).
But there’s hope. Besides the pure moments captured in his pet
project documentary "Looking For Richard," Pacino has finally
turned in a performance worthy of his legendary status, playing an
over-the-hill mobster in "Donnie Brasco."
Based on the true story of FBI Special Agent Joe Pistone’s
undercover stint in the New York mob scene circa 1978 the film was
written by Paul Attanasio ("Quiz Show") and directed by Mike Newell
("Four Weddings and a Funeral," "An Awfully Big Adventure"). If
Englishman Newell seems an odd choice to lead this journey into
Scorseseland, well, that’s because he is. Newell’s move to direct a
story so far removed from his own milieu (and so associated with
another master of the medium) rings as either fearless or foolish.
And while "Donnie Brasco" isn’t quite the tour de force that a
typical Scorsese gangster picks, the director brings some of his
own unique talents to bear on the material.
Johnny Depp plays Pistone, who goes undercover as jewel man
Donnie Brasco. The film opens with Brasco/Pistone’s introduction to
"Lefty" Ruggiero (Pacino), a wise guy with a reputation (he likes
to cite the 26 hits under his belt, and that number rises by the
story’s end) but not a heavy-hitter or "made man." The two meet
with Brasco informing Lefty that the diamond he just acquired is a
"fugazy" (a fake in mob parlance), which of course highlights the
fact that Brasco himself is a fugazy, but one good enough to fool
Lefty.
Unlike other gangsters in his repertoire, Lefty isn’t a general
or a thinking man’s hood like Michael Corleone, nor does he have
the razor-sharp street wit of Tony Montana or Carlito Brigante.
Lefty is, as he says in his own words, "a spoke in a wheel," and he
is painfully aware of his vulnerability. However, Lefty is enough
of an insider to bring Donnie into the sub-culture of the good
fella. Telling Donnie to shave his mustache, quit wearing jeans,
and properly carry his wad of cash, Lefty becomes Donnie’s mentor
and performs a makeover on Brasco like some Mafiosi version of "My
Fair Lady." Lefty brings Donnie to Sonny (played by Michael Madsen
of "Species"), a wise guy who’s young, strong and ruthless enough
to be the next boss.
Pistone is a man in jeopardy on many levels. Besides being
surrounded by people who wouldn’t hesitate to kill him if they knew
the truth, he also has to contend with a crumbling marriage to wife
Maggie (played by Anne Heche wielding a thick borough accent) and
battle his not-always cooperative superiors in Washington. Any man
who must swim in the equally treacherous pools of the New York
underworld and Washington law enforcement is one to pray for.
As Donnie gets cozy with Sonny’s crew and downright chummy with
Lefty (who replaces Donnie with the disappointment of a son he
has), the strain on Pistone begins to reach critical mass. His wife
begs him to pull out, but he tells her that the minute he pulls out
Lefty, who vouched for him, is a dead man.
Newell’s otherness from this world (in sharp contrast to
Scorsese’s familiarity) brings a distinct perspective to "Donnie
Brasco." Much is made in the film of the language and expressions
the mobsters use, and the British director clearly infected his
actors with his outsider’s appreciation for the quirky
language.
Pacino turns in his best (thank you, Mike Newell) and most
restrained performance in years as the affable and vulnerable
Lefty. Like the younger Pacino of the ’70s, he relies more on his
quiet self rather than his pyrotechnics to convey internal turmoil.
The scene in which he quietly assesses his last shot at the brass
ring evaporating before his eyes midway though the film is moving
and heartbreaking.
Depp holds his own against the elder actor, handily playing host
to all the conflicted emotions and interests of the G-man who runs
with the wolves. Newcomer Heche makes the most of a wife part, and
the resurrection of Michael Madsen from the grave of mediocre turns
in bad films is truly inspiring. As up-and-comer Sonny, he reminds
you of what was so great about him in "Reservoir Dogs," though
practically every film he’s since done would lead you to
forget.
Though it may not leave the mark on the genre that films like
"Mean Streets" and "Goodfellas" have, "Donnie Brasco" is one of the
best offerings from the gangster genre in years.
FILM: "Donnie Brasco" opens today.
Columbia/TriStar
Johnny Depp in "Donnie Brasco."