Scorsese's Best

Rating: 9/10 (15 December 2007)

This absorbing crime drama set in Boston focuses on the dynamics of a situation where a mob informant joins the police force and an undercover cop infiltrates the mob. Perhaps the best film of Scorsese's distinguished career, it ratchets up the tension from the beginning and doesn't let up for a moment despite its long running time. Although violent, Scorsese does not dwell on the violence as he does in some of his earlier films. The all-star cast is in top form. DiCaprio is gritty as the earnest undercover cop, Damon is appropriately slimy as the informant, and Nicholson is in his element as the mob boss. Sheen, Wahlberg, and Baldwin provide good support.