The Masterpiece of this decade

Rating: 10/10 (24 October 2006)

Every decade since the 1970's, American cinema has been blessed with a distinct masterpiece from a master director. This director is of course Martin Scorsese and his films are "Taxi Driver", "Raging Bull", and "Goodfellas." Since the dawn of this new millennium, fans of the screen have awaited the Marty film that would define the decade and join these three masterpieces as the crown jewels of his career.
In 2002 "Gangs of New York" represented a director who tried to gain the wind back in his sails. The result was a satisfyingly uneven, but undeniably good film, headlined by great performances and a beautiful look. Two years later, he swung for the fence with "The Aviator" and it almost made it out of the park. This wonderfully entertaining film represented Marty's latest futile attempt to win the O. At the time, it seemed like a safe bet, but the Academy didn't agree. It wasn't in the league of "Raging Bull" or his other masterpieces, but it seemed that if he didn't get it for "The Aviator" he was going to have to wait for the lifetime achievement award.
It almost seems like the Academy had incredible foresight, for Martin Scorsese has done the impossible. He has added a forth film to his masterpiece collection, and that film is "The Departed." It is not only Martin's finest film in sixteen years; it's also the BEST American FILM OF THE DECADE! Like a genius politician Scorsese surrounds himself with the best. The cast doesn't have a weak spot with DiCaprio giving his finest performance to date , the writing is the finest ever for a Scorsese picture, and Schoomaker's editing continues to demonstrate her pure ecstatic control over the medium. Though, it is still Martin's show and after decades of producing the finest films in the world, he has still not lost his touch. Excitement was felt last year when Peter Jackson's "King Kong" represented the finest remake in the history of Hollywood, but less than a year later, Scorsese owns that title again. If it weren't for his other three films (which are amongst the greatest of all time) this would be Scorsese's masterpiece. But with time, this film will surly join their company.