A Scorsese triumph

Rating: 9/10 (29 October 2006)

An intriguing plot that twists and turns and has you on the edge of your seat at times; an all-star cast (mainly male though); some truly excellent special effects and, as you might expect from director Martin Scorsese, a wonderful sound track.
These are the ingredients that combine to make this a truly memorable picture. The central plot deals with a corrupt Boston police force and a mobster, played by Jack Nicholson at his demonic best. The police have an undercover operative in the mobster's gang, and he in turn has a snitch with the cops. The best scenes of the film occur with these two, portrayed by Matt Damon and Leo DiCaprio, trying to discover the identity of the other, while the audience tries to work out which of the two is the real villain.
There is also a common love interest (which reminded me somewhat of LA Confidential) and plenty of gory action. The supporting cast is great, and includes William Baldwin, Ray Winstone (does he ever turn in a below-par performance - I think not!), Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg who has the best role of his career as a menacing police detective.
The movie runs for about 150 minutes, and yet it easily maintains interest and suspense for its whole length. Although superficially a cop flick, the principal three characters provide plenty of depth and complexity, and like a good wine, this movie can be savoured to the last drop.