Good movie, but not among Scorcese's best

Rating: 7/10 (15 November 2006)

Any movie having as high-profile cast as this one is bound to generate interest. Being directed by Martin Scorcese is just the icing on the cake. However, if you're expecting a classic comparable to 'Raging Bull' and 'Taxi Driver' then you'll be slightly disappointed. The plot twists and turns its way through a myriad of sub-plots and the 'who's chasing who' story comes to a terrific head when both sides meet at the building where Martin Sheen comes to meet his informant. Jack Nicholson was superb, as always, playing the dirty scumbag role in which everyone loves to hate him. Matt Damon revel led in his shady and slimy role, Di Caprio gave another example of his growing stature as a decent actor while Baldwin, Wahlberg and Sheen all played their part reasonably well. The sudden downfall of Nicholson and the abrupt ending slightly damages the movie's credentials. However, the mole-chasing-mole story is excellently depicted and this movie is definitely recommended for all the Nicholson or Scorcese fans out there.