Scorcese Imitating Scorcese?

Rating: 7/10 (22 March 2007)

When I put the fact that Scorcese directed this flick against the finished product, I was left scratching my head. Scorcese has always had the goods where gangster films are concerned. But, I have to say I'm now inclined to think that there WAS a time when you could go to see a Scorcese movie and know you were getting first class. You never had to worry. THE DEPARTED may have killed that notion...at least for the time being. I went straight out and bought the double disc edition with the movie script booklet purely based in the fact that Scorcese directed it. (Note: in FIRST run of the DVD in Australia, released February 14 2007, the second disc's special features don't match those advertised on the box cover - there are fewer on the disc itself than printed on the back. This is a print error that Warner Brothers have since acknowledged and will be rectified in future prints.) It is not a bad film by any stretch; it's still very entertaining, however, the actors didn't quite reach the level of authenticity I would have expected - especially since the cast is a bevy of Hollywood's A-List male actors. Jack Nicholson is a brilliant performer - he always brings an intensity to any role he plays. And he did this here, occasionally throwing in that jagged edge of insanity he is famous for. However, I just couldn't believe him as a mob leader specifically. Matt Damon - always been a favourite of mine. But what's going on, mate? Here we see him attempting to achieve the persona of a sly, corrupt cop in the way he THOUGHT it should be played, rather than actually becoming the role. In a number of his roles, he has come across as somewhat conscious of how he is delivering the character, and this was no exception. For me he didn't quite fit the role. Mark Wahlberg's sharp mouthed, a-hole cop was almost unnecessary. I couldn't piece him into the picture; the film could have easily survived without this role, regardless of the fact that he was required to round out the plot in the final scene. But, his angle on character delivery was too forced and exaggerated, and in placing him into the full context of the story, his existence was more a hindrance than a help. The only really solid performance here was Leonardo DiCaprio. And this is something I never thought I'd admit to. I have never been a fan. However, in this film, he has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a main player. Overall, THE DEPARTED didn't quite showcase the legendary capabilities of Scorcese as a director. And for this reason, the final product looks more like a film made by a lesser known director trying to IMITATE Scorcese's style, but doesn't fully achieve the equivalent. Thus, we don't see the full potential of what we know to be a brilliant cast. The flow of the movie is left somewhat disjointed and scattered, making it difficult for the audience to fully submit to the plot and the experience. And this is a pity since you really need to pay attention to the plot to catch the wave and stay with it. However, it is entertaining. Most people will probably enjoy it - if not for the juiciness of a violent gangster flick then certainly for the cast. Still very worth the watch if you love Scorcese.