Excellent mix of black comedy, drama, and action

Rating: 10/10 (5 November 2006)

This is quite possibly Martin Scorcese's best picture since "Goodfellas." It may surpass "Goodfellas," in fact. There is an excellent mix of drama, black comedy, and action. It is made even better with excellent writing, direction by Scorcese, and acting by its leads.
We begin the movie with a monologue by Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), the crime lord of Boston, Massachusetts. It then shows young Colin Sullivan and how he begins a relationship with Costello doing odd jobs. When older Colin (Matt Damon) becomes a police officer, Costello has a new informant in the State Police.
Enter the mind of Billy Costigan (Leo DiCaprio), a young undercover cop infiltrating the Boston Mob for the State Police. With a family history of criminals, Billy has an easy time fitting in with Costello's crew. He uses paroxysms of violence to show that he can defend himself and that he is not to be pushed around.
When moles are believed to be in the State Police and the Boston Mob, Captain William Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Costello are on the lookout for suspicious behavior among their "allies." With both Sullivan and Costigan getting paranoid, the movie goes deeper into the BPD and the criminal underworld. Great supporting performances from Ray Winstone and Mark Wahlberg make "The Departed" a real treat to watch.
10/10