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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."