Harsh Lessons on the Mean Streets of Boston

Rating: 8/10 (8 October 2006)

I felt somewhat traumatised walking away from this film. It was one of those ones that I needed to go and do something enjoyable after mulling it over before I could sleep properly. Indeed, watching a re-run of England beating Wales in the 2003 RWC just about did the trick, but now it is all coming back to me as I write this...
The story is compelling. Matt Damon is a superpoliceman/mobster mole tasked with essentially rooting himself out of the Boston PD. All along he is really trying to id undercover policeman Leonardo di Caprio for Jack Nicholson's nutter at the top Francis Costello. Di Caprio is posing as a mobster crew member trying to provide evidence to put away said crime boss away for life. So far so confusing? Not really. But what ensues is a taught ride of cat and mouse as each comes close to being discovered.
The acting is superb, the script, rude, crude, intelligent and at times very amusing. The action is shocking. Several cut away edits and scenes left me shocked to the point of forgetting to breathe. Without giving too much away, the showdown leaving 'Jed' flying and the aftermath of the lift scene where Matt Damon begs to be killed when the net tightens. It is cruel, blood splattered and superbly edited. Definitely recommended (but take a strong constitution with you).