August 1: Donnie Brasco

Donnie Brasco

Johnny Depp is undercover special agent Joe Pistone, who infiltrates the mob as Donnie Brasco – “He’s a jewel guy.” Donnie is brought into the mafia crew by Lefty, a nuanced role by Al Pacino and the two men form a deep bond, with Lefty becoming a mob mentor to Donnie, “A wiseguy’s always right, even when he’s wrong.” Michael Madsen is formidable as Sonny Black, an ambitious, mid-level mob manager, that must make sure his blue-collar crew of Lefty, Donnie, Nicky (Bruno Kirby) and Paulie (James Russo) are kicking back enough “vig” to the men up the mob ladder above them. You won’t find any teased hair, eyeliner or eccentric wardrobe accessories on Depp as Brasco, just the tape recorder he hides in his boot, the leather jacket he wears to blend in and his soulful eyes that are constantly observing. The violence in Donnie Brasco is bloody and often unpredictable, with a dismemberment scene that would make Jeffrey Dahmer squeamish.

Garret Mathany discusses Donnie Brasco on the New Beverly blog.