Gimme a Break! "The Departed" is Pretty Good but Far From Great

Rating: 7/10 (11 October 2006)

"The Departed" is a fairly entertaining movie, although about 2/3 through, it definitely drags. There is simply too much reliance on cell phones as if, "Oh, wow, ain't it something the way we can call one another at any time and, gee, isn't Generation X really interesting to watch?" The answer is a resounding NO! You get really tired of yet another ringing cell phone and another kid picking up and blabbing away as if it's so important and so "heavy." Leonardo DeCaprio gives an uneven performance as the undercover cop who has successfully infiltrated the Irish Mafia in Boston. He starts out well, especially when he is being taunted by his superiors who are hoping to recruit him for undercover work, but it becomes increasingly evident that he has copied the characterization effectively utilized by Johnny Depp for "Donnie Brasco," a better movie about an undercover cop who has infiltrated the mafia. Even his facial expressions start to resemble too much those used by Depp. At times, his character does hit a sort of stride, but generally, the ride strains credulity. Were I the crime boss, I'd have greased this punk the first time I suspected he might be a rat, because his denials are unconvincing. However, his IS a likable performance, despite its limitations, and I especially liked his budding romance with the sexy young psychiatrist. Unfortunately, the buildup doesn't really deliver, save for an abbreviated sex scene, mostly because the plot doesn't allow it. DeCaprio's nemesis, Matt Damon, the gangster mole in the Boston PD, never gains our sympathy. This guy is a piece of sh*t, pure and simple, and you might expect that he had some redeeming qualities, which he does not. That he gets away with all his inside machinations and is never seriously suspected by anyone in power, once again, asks us to suspend disbelief a tad too much. Jack Nicholson, as the ruthless crime boss the mole often refers to simply as "Dad," hands in a reasonable performance that has been referred to as "absolutely amazing," which it simply isn't. There are one or two interesting moments, such as his imitation of "the dirty rat gnawing at cheese," but he fails to convince us that he is evil personified or incredibly mean and scary. This Nicholson is definitely not as good as the crazy caretaker of "The Shining," nor for that matter, the inspired bum of "Ironweed." He's pretty good in this movie, but not great, and definitely not as good as De Niro or Pacino in similar roles. In fact, certain of the gang members, especially his right-hand man, do a more effective job of exuding pure evil.
This is not to say that "The Departed" is a bad film, only that it is clearly flawed. And the ending, jeez, it definitely IS surprising, I'll give it that, lending further credence to the idea that Scorcese wasn't really serious when he made this thing. It comes off as black comedy rather than the gruesome drama of his earlier efforts at portraying organized crime. But something about the ending, however startling, doesn't quite add up, if you think about if for a moment. With all the violence, one is almost tempted to push aside lingering doubts about several developments, but you won't get a chance to consider it until after the credits roll. The final scene sets things about as "right" as can be expected, but it's almost too neat and there is something unsettled here that all the hype can't sweep under the rug. If you can get in to see this flick for a discount price, it's probably worth it, because it is reasonably entertaining most of the time, otherwise, I'd advise you wait until it comes out on DVD.