One of Scorcese' Finest Films!!!!

Rating: 8/10 (19 October 2006)

Wellwhat can I say about the latest film from Martin Scorsese? Is it a prestigious thriller/drama film up their with the likes of The Godfather, Goodfellas and Reservoir Dogs? Or is it a flop, a flimsy lifeless film which lacks the depth and perception that most crime/thriller films happily entail? From what I have seen from this film, The Departed is Definitely NOT the latter of the two.
I could start with the acting, but I think I'll leave that till a bit later. The first feature of the film that struck me significantly was the setting of a modern day Boston. Scorcese has succeeded in depicting such an underrated city in its dark and sinister form. If there were another definition for the words 'realism' and 'effect', the backdrop of Boston in The Departed would certainly be featured. Each scene is strikingly detailed down to the point of even adding effect to a fly on the wall. The backdrop of the meeting place for Costello's (Nicholson) gang in addition to the Massachusetts State Police Headquarters fits in appropriately with the overall theme that the film is expressing to its viewers.
In order to make a good film, fine actors must be featured in it. I have already selected at least three of the cast members who should vie to win, or at least be nominated for, an Oscar for next year. For Best Actor, Jack Nicholson's portrayal of powerful kingpin Frank Costello is nothing short of exceptional. Nicholson succumbs to his trademark smirk and charisma that is strongly evident in many films that he has had the honor of starring in. The Departed shows that Nicholson has not lost his talent with his old age. Costello, with all his power and influence over his gang in Inner Boston, is a pivotal character in the film, endeavoring to use his power to his advantage.
My second choice for Best Supporting Actor would normally be very difficult to choose for this film. Both Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio have certainly seized their chosen roles and have presented them in convincing awe. If I could only choose one, it would have to be DiCaprio's portrayal of undercover cop Frank Costigan. A live wire in the police who dropped out of the Academy, he is rectified of his prison sentence and wrongdoing and is recruited to go undercover to investigate and weasel out Costello and his henchman. Costigan himself is a confused and unstable man who's vast presence on screen involves compassion and resilience for his aura. Scorcese has really revived DiCaprio's career through his recent films and he is heading back up the food chain of the hostile and unwelcoming list of current great Hollywood actors.
The third and final person who is worth a Nomination is Vera Farmiga who played Dr. Madolyn Madden, Sargent Colin Sullivan's (Damon) girlfriend and shrink who serves Costigan during his stint as an undercover cop. Farmiga strongly portrays the female lead in a style that portrays her unawareness of the situation that is being faced in the film. She is a pivotal character in the plot of the film and her presence on screen is somewhat invigorating. She deserves a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at a minimum.
With the utterly convincing plot and setting, the superb acting by such an ensemble cast, and the superb twist at the end, all describe the sheer excellence that The Departed contains. The only problem I had with the film was its length. At 151 minutes, you just wished at times that the film would come to its fantastic and long awaited end.
This deserves to be Film of the Year and I'm being very generous in giving it a high rating.