In the late 1970s, Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Joe Pistone (Depp) poses as jewel expert Donnie Brasco to win the trust of ageing mob middleman Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). As time passes, Donnie gets tighter and tighter into the mob, rising firmly into the upper crime echelons when boss Sonny Black gets bumped up.

While Donnie puts his life at risk, his world crumbles as he never sees his wife or children. As he moves up, his friend Lefty (Al Pacino) is bypassed time and time again. As Donnie gets deeper, the FBI start to worry and want to extract him -– something that cannot be done without exposing him and condemning Lefty to death.

This Mike Newell film was a test, as the upcoming Depp had to stand his ground against the formidable talent of Al Pacino. There wasn't much to fear as Johnny's role was an incredible one, and, as most critics grudgingly admitted, the young man pretty much stole the show from his legendary co-star.