Dazzling character study from a master filmmaker

Rating: 10/10 (9 October 2006)

Without a doubt this is the best film of 2006. The deceptively simple premise involves the Massachussets State Police planting an undercover operative (Leonardo DiCaprio) in the South Boston underworld in order to take down Irish mob kingpin Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). However, Costello has a mole of his own....
What unfolds is an absolutely stunning examination of the nature of violence, loyalty, avarice, and betrayal. The ensemble cast are uniformly excellent though Martin Sheen and a caustic Mark Wahlberg absolutely steal the show in their supporting roles as DiCaprio's world-weary handlers. Big Bad Jack turns in a bone-chilling, high octane performance that simply lights up the screen. As a side-note, his character is based in part on the exploits of a real-life South Boston mobster, Whitey Bulger.
The razor-sharp dialogue is enthralling and Martin Scorsese's direction is flawless. This film is a triumph.