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Donnie Brasco (R, 1997)

common sense media says

Decent mob movie, but not meant for children.

parents & educators say
See all 3 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film contains scenes of bloody violence and gunplay. Aside from "purely" criminal acts, there are depictions of physical abuse within families and a racially motivated attack. The characters use strong language throughout the film, smoke, drink, and deal drugs. One suffers an overdose off-screen.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Bloody violence and gunplay.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Very strong language.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Smoking, drinking, drugs.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Donnie Brasco

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about Donnie's divided loyalty. Ostensibly, it is between the mob and the FBI, but is it that simple? Who else is he answerable to, and in the end, which group does he really side with? Have you ever been in a situation where your loyalty to a friend has been tested, particularly when a friend has done something very wrong?

What's the story?

What's the story?

DONNIE BRASCO is based on the true story of Joe Pistone (Johhny Depp), the first FBI agent to successfully infiltrate the inner circle of the Mafia. Pistone (code-named Donnie Brasco), poses as a small-time jewel thief who befriends low-level mobster "Lefty" Ruggeriero (Al Pacino). Broke, over the hill, and desperately eager to please, Lefty struggles daily to score enough cash to satisfy the made men at the top. Lefty quickly takes Donnie under his wing, coaching him on wiseguy rhetoric and deportment. Donnie, meanwhile, is very busy with his double life. Driven as an agent, and ambitious as a hoodlum, he barely has energy left for his wife and two kids. His superiors at the FBI appear unsympathetic as well. Pistone's life becomes even more complicated when events unexpectedly pull Lefty (and therefore Donnie) up the power structure.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Donnie Brasco is a fine film, a supposedly true story that covers many of the usual mafia movie bases -- family, loyalty, trust and betrayal. The film proves note-worthy, however, by providing the audience with an in-depth view of characters who are typically portrayed as one-dimensional corrupt law enforcers.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Tristar
Director: Mike Newell
Cast: Al Pacino, Anne Heche, Johnny Depp
Genre: Drama
Run time: 127 minutes
Theatrical release: February 28, 1997
DVD release: January 20, 1998
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: some strong graphic violence, pervasive strong language and brief nudity and sexuality
This review was written by Will Fertman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

dawtpbwv
teen, 17 years old
15
 
Donnie Brasco - Johnny Depp at his finest
This is a mob movie with fine acting from Johnny Depp about him as a FBI informant while undergoing as a Donnie Brasco. What follows is the mob life greatly directed. It's realism makes the movie.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
NickD531
teen, 16 years old
13
 
Amazing
An amazing gangster movie. It is a classic like The Godfather. It is violent and shouldn't be shown to under 13s.
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smada96
teen, 14 years old
 
This is a great gangster film
Donnie Brasco was one of the first gangster films i saw and overall, i thought it was pretty good. There is one really violent scene where a man and his bodyguards are blown away by a shotgun, then sawed into little bits. Johnny Deep played an FBI undercover agent trying to infulltrate the mafia. Al Pacino played a low-level gangster trying to make a living for himself. This is a great film about betrayal. (I won't go into full detail) Al Pacino acted wonderfully (don't know if thats a word). He made you want to be a gangster. This film was a violent, language filled roller coaster that may not be right for everyone. Although if you see it in your local video store, i'd pick it up.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)

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