Suspenseful, superbly acted

Rating: 8/10 (23 April 2013)

The Departed is story about a man from the mob who's infiltrated the police and a man from the police who's infiltrated the mob, adapted from the 2002 film Infernal Affairs. Let me just say the film was incredibly well directed, with slight quirks in the cinematography and every actor influenced by Scorsese to shine within their roles. The overall film is well rounded, with realistic performances and a standout setting.
There's not weak link in the line-up; every actor has been cast perfectly. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon each play the lead roles excellently, managing to sustain deep and original characters throughout. Jack Nicholson, with his rugged, aged looks and unique quirks allow his role as the domineering mob boss to stand out and provide a lasting impression. One scene in which he's trying to find a rat in his organisation provided a platform for him to subtly, yet menacingly imply accusations upon his crew. Mark Wahlberg (who received and Oscar nomination) played the potty-mouthed straight up cop to a tee and Martin Sheen played the understanding, experienced detective greatly, managing to keep a cool performance, only slightly changing when faced with death.
The film provides deep suspenseful elements and a fast paced, clever plot. Moments of excitement are juxtaposed by meaningful scenes of heartbreak and character development. If you want to see an intelligent, memorable thriller, watch The Departed.