Donnie Brasco

Donnie Brasco (1997)

  • 87% of critics liked it
    (55 reviews)

  • 85% of users liked it
    (176,682 ratings)

This drama about an undercover cop who learns the hidden dangers of working his way inside the mob was based on a true story. Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who is given an assignment to infiltrate the Mafia; calling himself Donnie Brasco, he befriends Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), a… More

Play Trailer

R,
Directed By
Written By
Paul Attanasio
Genres
Mystery & Suspense, Drama
In Theaters
Feb 28, 1997 Wide
TriStar

Critic Reviews

  • Todd McCarthy, Variety

    Although perhaps familiar in its outer trappings, Pacino's fine work is the key to the film succeeding to the extent that it does.

  • , Time Out

    A tense, sharp and compelling character study, Newell's film is a worthy addition to the Mob-movie canon.

  • Rita Kempley, Washington Post

    Unfortunately, the story isn't inventive and Newell's methodical approach to it verges on monotony.

  • Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

    A first-class Mafia thriller that is also, in its way, a love story.

  • Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

    In the tired figure of Lefty, manifest in the craggy icon of Pacino, our sympathies are definitely enlisted, and the theme rings a poignant note.

Read all 20 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Albert K


    WOO! A breath of fresh air. After a recommendation from a good friend of mine -- yup, I'm talking to you Rottentomatoes buddy ;) -- "Donnie Brasco" took me by a big surprise. What an enthralling piece of work that surges the audience into a non-Hollywood-ized portrayal… More

  • xGary X


    Undercover FBI agent Johnny Depp is taken under the wing of low level mobster Al Pacino and soon finds that the lines between his work and his personal life start to blur. Donnie Brasco is the true story of Joseph Pistone whose testimony resulted in hundreds of arrests within the New… More

  • Melvin W


    Lefty: How many times have I had you in my house? If you're a rat, then I'm the biggest mutt in the history of the Mafia.  "Donnie Brasco. Based on a true story." Donnie Brasco is an amazing mafia film. First off, right from the get go we know what is going on.… More

  • Lady D


    A good film which I re-watched recently. Undercover cop who gets close to Gangsters

  • Universal D


    A mob buddy movie ... only one of our buds is a rat. Pacino delivers another stellar, complex and surprising performance as a blue collar mobster. Depp too rises to the standard set as the man brought in. Madsen, Kirby, and Heche (!) are more than competent in supporting roles.… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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