Best Picture Oscar Candidate

Rating: 10/10 (10 October 2006)

This movie is, to be succinct, an excellent blend of story and character development, backed up by an all-star cast who collectively deliver the best acting you will see in a film, period. Of course, from Scorcese what would you expect but a masterpiece, and here he delivers in spades. The characters are intricate, the story well developed, the violence brutal and non-gratuitous. Above all this, there are many, many twists, more than most Scorcese pictures, that will keep the viewer guessing and at times, even jumping in their seats.
The cast is outstanding; Nicholson (with perhaps his best performance in decades), Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon (I'm Matt Damon!!), Leonardo DiCaprio...among an excellent collection of more minor characters - all superb. If I had to make one critical comment, it would be that one character (I won't say who) does not pay off at the end, which could have cut maybe 20-30 minutes from the film. But who cares - even among the GREAT movies this stands out - among the Deck served up 99% of the time nowadays, this is the Apex of Film-making.
You will NOT want to miss viewing this on the big screen!