Don't Double-Cross Your Associates

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 2006)

More violence from Mafioso-types, in this latest Martin Scorsese insight to the underworld, is not as brutal as "Good Fellas," or Daniel Day-Lewis' character in "Gangs of New York, but it does have it horrific moments perpetrated by Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and several lesser Irish henchmen. Apparently it's a less-faithful remake of a revered Hong Kong film, "Infernal Affairs," but true to the Scorsese canon, and one of dedicated storytelling and character development.Leonardo Di Caprio and Matt Damon play opposite infiltrators in the Costello(Nicholson) gang and city police department, and they both are terrific! It is a Brad Pitt production, (who originally had the Matt Damon role), but it's a wonder that he withdrew and placed two actors, (who resemble each other)! Alec Baldwin shines as the police chief, (and is hilarious in a couple of scenes). Martin Sheen lends suitable gravitas as chief of undercover detectives, and Jack Nicholson is over-the-top in emoting and promoting his trademark leers, sneers, and swaggers. There is a lot of double-dealing and shocking set-ups, but it is a good film overall. However, it may not win Martin Scorsese his coveted Director's Oscar, due to strong competition from other more family-friendly films.