Pacino or Depp?
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tyrexden — 12 years ago(February 11, 2014 03:05 PM)
This is one of the few films where Pacino plays against type. Rather than some mob boss, he's an underling a guy who you even sorta think is pathetic.
This is one of my most favorite performances from him, for that reason. Depp was very good here, too. -
runouteast — 12 years ago(March 22, 2014 05:59 AM)
Both great. Pacino, IMHO, tends to play it a little over the top in his roles. Here, he projected the dual nature of the character. The street smarts without the chops to make it to the top. Violent, but also the sadness.
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DracTarashV — 11 years ago(November 25, 2014 03:57 PM)
At first, I wasn't overly impressed with Pacino's acting in this. I honestly thought he was just doing the same thing he had done many times before but that was obviously far from the truth. Now, however, his performance in this movie has grown on me so much, that I think it's one of his most understated performances ever. As for Depp, I've always been impressed by his work in Donnie Brasco. In fact, I think he delivered his most nuanced and realistic performance here.
Anyway, while they were both perfect in their roles, Depp's performance still leaves a bigger impression on me.
Hey there, Johnny Boy, I hope you fry! -
DracTarashV — 11 years ago(January 04, 2015 02:29 PM)
How could you think Pacino was doing the same thing he always did in other films? How is Lefty similar to Michael Corleone, Tony Montana, or Frank Serpico?
First, I didn't mention which of his previous characters I thought he was reprising in this film. Secondly, I didn't mean to say that before Donnie Brasco, all his roles/performances were the same. What I meant to say was, I initially thought his performance in this film was in some ways similar to his work in other films such as Glengarry Glen Ross, Carlito's Way, Godfather 3, Sea of Love, and a few others.
Now I'm not saying Al's characters (or even his acting) in those films were all the same, but his performance as Lefty did remind me of some of those. And let me reiterate, that's what I thought the FIRST TIME I watched Donnie Brasco.
By the way, how could you think De Niro was always doing the same thing as a gangster? How is Vito Corleone similar to Jimmy Conway, David "Noodles" Aaronson, or Al Capone?
No, you don't need to answer that.
Hey there, Johnny Boy, I hope you fry! -
matahari20-1 — 11 years ago(January 05, 2015 08:53 AM)
Pacino is the greatest mobster actor of all time. But after seeing Depp at work in this film, my respect for him as an actor has greatly increased. Also, they worked together brilliantly in this. Great film.
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jajceboy — 11 years ago(January 31, 2015 09:22 AM)
I have to say Deppp. Of course Pacino was great, no one really thought he would disappoint. He is a mob actor known for playing mobster so of course he was brilliant in that role.
But with Depp it's different. He hasn't done mob films before nor was he known for playing living real life persons. He id great. -
goldpink23 — 10 years ago(May 29, 2015 06:19 PM)
I am very surprised by how many people are asking the question, Is the OP talking about this movie or overall(the answer would be the same for me either way)?I know everyone has different opinions on actors and actresses but really?
I can understand people asking that question on the Heat message board because it's between two of the best actors alive(Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.Just because some of their movies are medicore doesn't change the fact that they always give a good or outstanding performance).If that was the question it would be understandably extremely difficult to choose one over the other.When it comes to Pacino vs. Deep for ME it's not even close.I pick Al Pacino.In MY OPINION Johnny Depp wasn't convincing as a FBI agent undercover who gets in too deep.Some examples are when he's at the airport and is threatening Richie.When he's around his wife during therapy and the therapy parking lot scene trying to act like a tough mobster.However he did convince me he cared about Lefty.Let me say this again,I understand people have different opinions.I just never would've expected this amount of people on IMDb would even think they're(Al Pacino and Johnny Depp) on the same level.Apparently a few people on here think they're. -
The-Massi — 10 years ago(October 24, 2015 03:22 PM)
You meant only on this particular movie , right?
I, personally wouldn't get myself doing a comparison on these two leading roles of Donnie Brasco. It really seems kinda unnecessary to me. I mean, how could you even imagine of another actor in place of either Depp or Pacino in this film! Could you, really?
Lastly, let me say this, my friend you really want me tell ya 'Pacino or Depp' (particularly about DB)?
Ah FORGET ABOUT IT!
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jason-l-parker — 9 years ago(April 04, 2016 06:56 AM)
If someone replaced Al in this movie it would have fallen apart. But, if you replace Depp, it would have been fine.
Al did all the hard work. He had to make himself lower that the other mobsters, but seem to be naturally a much superior beast than the new Brasco who was actually as cop and pretend to be on to him and but also want to believe that Donny is the real thing.
When Lefty takes of his ring and watch you could cry. He has just been betrayed and he was going to this death with love still in his heart for Donny. Power!
Depp is pretty and all that but he was a long way from his greatness of Captain Jack.
That
Depp
might
have buried Al in this film but, Depp was just starting to be great. A contender. Al was still the boss, playing it soft and loud whenever he wanted. -
vicky_lc2001 — 1 year ago(May 10, 2024 08:59 PM)
Pacino, the greatest actor of all time. People like to compare him to De Niro but De Niro plays the sam3 character in every film, gangster or not. Pacino otoh can play a gangster in 3 films and yet they would all be vastly different from one another. Only Pacino can play Michael Corleone, Tony Montana, and Lefty Ruggiero and convince you he is that character, yet they are vastly different from one another.