Donnie Brasco

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2:12

Donnie Brasco

R

1997

2h 6m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who has infiltrated one of the major New York Mafia families and is living under the name Donnie Brasco. He develops a relationship with mob hitman Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero (Al Pacino) in order to get deeper under cover, but ends up developing a real friendship with the Mafioso. As their relationship develops, Pistone must decide whether to complete his job, knowing that it will lead to the murder of his new friend.

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Critics Consensus

A stark, nuanced portrait of life in organized crime, bolstered by strong performances from Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Feb 28, 2018

This is Depp's coming-of-age role, and he's terrific. Pacino, who's shown more flash than substance recently, reminds us how great he can be when he loses himself inside a character.

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Todd McCarthy

Variety

Nov 20, 2008

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

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Rita Kempley

Washington Post

Aug 14, 2002

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

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Simon Rose

Daily Mirror (UK)

Sep 22, 2025

4/5

A superb movie with a brilliant performance by Pacino and some of the best movie dialogue for a long time.

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Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

Mar 4, 2022

4/5

A fine film, though not quite a classic, mostly because it didn't break any ground, or show us a new way of telling this type of story (25th anniversary)

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PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

Feb 22, 2019

3/5

A clever insight into the everyday, professional banalities of life as a low to mid-level gangster.

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Emircan I

@E.M.C 1 day ago

In my opinion, it ranks among the top 10 gangster films; Al Pacino’s performance is quite good.

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Jacob W

@RT17896586 Nov 3, 2026

Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who has infiltrated one of the major New York Mafia families and is living under the name Donnie Brasco. He develops a relationship with mob hitman Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero (Al Pacino) in order to get deeper under cover, but ends up developing a real friendship with the Mafioso. As their relationship develops, Pistone must decide whether to complete his job, knowing that it will lead to the murder of his new friend. This is an underrated gangster movie with strong performances from Johnny D and Pachino. Enjoy.

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Joshua P

@RT64526369 Oct 19, 2026

Average movie top 10 mobster movies

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Oaklee D

@ODie63 Sep 24, 2026

Depp and Pacino have insane chemistry in this gripping crime drama.

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Jeremy P

@Jezza_Linko Sep 19, 2026

Bad ass movie lots of killing and swearing, good storyline too

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 14, 2026

I love Crime Drama This movie = a 4.5* Star Movie!

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Mike Newell

Director

Al Pacino

Lefty

Johnny Depp

Donnie

Michael Madsen

Sonny

Bruno Kirby

Nicky

James Russo

Paulie

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Synopsis

Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who has infiltrated one of the major New York Mafia families and is living under the name Donnie Brasco. He develops a relationship with mob hitman Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero (Al Pacino) in order to get deeper under cover, but ends up developing a real friendship with the Mafioso. As their relationship develops, Pistone must decide whether to complete his job, knowing that it will lead to the murder of his new friend.

Director: Mike Newell
Producer: Barry Levinson, Mark Johnson, Louis DiGiaimo, Gail Mutrux
Screenwriter: Joseph D. Pistone, Richard Woodley, Paul Attanasio
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Mandalay Entertainment, Baltimore Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 28, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.0M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround, SDDS

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