Departed ... a Suspense Thriller for Men

Rating: 10/10 (14 October 2006)

It isn't often I give a MUST SEE recommendation, so lets cut through all the bull Departed is that one movie really worth seeing even for $10 a ticket. I give Departed 5-stars out of 5.
To get a 5-star rating in my book, a movie must have a very interesting story; great writing to tell that story; great directing to interpret the story; great characters; great visuals; and great acting. Departed has them all and Jack (Nicholson) doing his best work in ages.
Director Martin Scorsese made the large big name ensemble cast put their bigger ego's aside and what we get is the best of movie making. Yes Jack dominates as Jack will, but Leonardo DiCaprio, who I initially thought was miscast, is terrific. Matt Damon who I also couldn't see as a Mass "Statey" has perhaps the best role he's had to date and gives by far the best acting he's done. And add to that a solid supporting cast including Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg (putting aside for ever all those snide remarks about "Marky Mark") and even a decent performance by Alec Baldwin.
Departed is a "Man's Movie" with several strong male leads. It has only two women in the movie and they are both minor roles... one, of Jack's girlfriend is a throwaway.
The story revolves around a crime boss in South Boston's "Irish Mafia"  think Whitey Bulger  and two Massachusetts State Cops, one who has infiltrated Jack's boys and the other a crooked cop on Jack's payroll. To add tension each "Rat" is trying to identify the other first in a kill or be killed suspense story.