Al Pacino’s Mob Movie Gets Real-Life Seal of Approval from Ex-Mafia Man

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Quick Links

  • The True Story of ‘Donnie Brasco’
  • Michael Franzese’s Connection to ‘Donnie Brasco’
  • The World’s Fascination With the Mob

There are numerous movies about organized crime in the film industry, ranging from “The Godfather” to “Casino,” “Black Mass,” and “The Irishman.” These films, often referred to as gangster movies, primarily focus on the world of criminal organizations, typically the Mafia or other such groups. Many of these films center around Italian-American characters grappling with financial difficulties, leading them to resort to illegal activities for economic stability. Most of these movies are based on real events, though some creative liberties are taken for dramatic purposes. A notable example is “Donnie Brasco,” starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp in 1997.

The actual tale centers around Joseph Pistone (Departed as Depp), a covert FBI agent, who posed as Donnie Brasco and infiltrated the Bonanno crime family organization based in New York during the 1970s. In this film, Depp’s character forms an alliance with Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero (Al Pacino), a notorious mob assassin. Pacino delivered an exceptional performance that left audiences spellbound, and this movie, now marking its 27th anniversary, is still highly acclaimed.

In 2023, during an interview on The Megyn Kelly Show, ex-mafia member Michael Franzese talked about how accurate a movie is in portraying life in the mafia, as well as the courageous agents who venture into these organizations. He also touched upon the widespread interest in films set within the mob world and the relationship between Hollywood and organized crime.

The True Story of ‘Donnie Brasco’

1997’s movie, titled “Donnie Brasco,” narrates the authentic tale of FBI agent Joseph Diller (Depp), who disguises himself as Donnie Brasco and penetrates the criminal empire of the Bonanno family. As a newcomer, he befriends Lefty Battista (Pacino), who accepts him into their underworld circle. Although Donnie is a high-ranking member, he continues to grapple with financial difficulties and domestic turmoil.

When Lefty learns that he has been overlooked for a leadership position within the family, his sense of loyalty is tested, and he feels deeply betrayed by those he trusted.

In the storyline, Pacino’s character consistently demonstrates his readiness for greater responsibilities within the organization and earns trust from the higher-ups with his sound decisions. Yet, Sonny Black (played by Michael Madsen) persistently thwarts him and sabotages his initiatives. The real backstabbing occurs when Depp’s character starts collaborating with Black to advance in his undercover mission, intensifying the rivalry between them. However, old grudges are forgotten when Donnie extends a helping hand to Lefty during a drug overdose crisis involving his son. The movie vividly portrays the brutal nature of the mafia realm and the inherent dangers of dwelling in an unstable environment.

Michael Franzese’s Connection to ‘Donnie Brasco’

In an interview with Megyn Kelly, Franzese disclosed that he formed a bond with the true-life Pistone. He held him in high regard due to his bravery and the undercover work he performed, which is not an easy feat for many individuals.

He was an undercover agent, he was doing his job, and he did his job better than we did ours.

He acknowledged Pistone’s approach to work and the effort he put into it, which was unexpected, considering that it involved betrayal.

It’s not fair to be angry with someone if they’re not trying to manipulate you, when they’re simply doing their job competently and outperforming you.

Apart from lauding Pacino’s portrayal of “Lefty” Ruggiero, he remarked that among all the actor’s remarkable films, this performance stood out as the finest he had ever witnessed. This assessment held even greater weight since the speaker was acquainted with the real-life individual.

I knew Lefty fairly well, and he just nailed it.

It appears that Franzese affirmed that the depicted events in this gangster movie were a very faithful portrayal of real-life occurrences.

The World’s Fascination With the Mob

During his chat with Megyn Kelly, Franzese surprisingly hinted at a potential link between Hollywood and the mafia. Over time, there have been whispers about questionable activities within Hollywood, yet Franzese’s suggestion added an intriguing twist to the story. He offered some clues about who was associating with whom, although he didn’t go into detail about the nature or depth of these connections.

Jimmy Kahn had a tight bond with my former commander, Andrew Russo. Similarly, Lenny Montana, known for his role as Luca Brasi in “The Godfather”, shared a strong connection with me, and we spent time together on the West Coast prior to his passing.

The mob-influenced genre captivates many with its intrigue about the journey of someone choosing a life of crime and the paths these characters take from one point to another. Remarkable performances by Depp and Pacino in Donnie Brasco draw you deeply into the narrative. The allure of this genre lies in the introspection it provokes, making you wonder if you’d make similar choices as the movie characters. In truth, life isn’t always clear-cut, and these films skillfully portray that ambiguity. Right now, Donnie Brasco is available for streaming on Philo.

The mob genre intrigues audiences by exploring the path to a criminal lifestyle, and performances like those in Donnie Brasco immerse you in the story. The best part of this genre lies in the moral dilemmas it presents, causing viewers to ponder if they’d make similar choices as film characters. Life isn’t always straightforward, but these movies effectively showcase that complexity. Currently, Donnie Brasco can be streamed on Philo.

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2025-02-15 18:02