Good thriller but not worthy of best picture

Rating: 8/10 (5 March 2007)

The Departed creates the scenario of deception on two separate levels but involving the same group of people who, whether they know it or not, are on a path of destruction. With Jack Nicholson, Leonardo Di Caprio, Matt Damon, and Martin Sheen, The Departed has an all star cast that creates a plot that brings one into a world of murder, lies, and deception that makes up Boston's underworld.
Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is used as an undercover officer to infiltrate the circle of Frank Costello (Jack Nicholoson) and to gain enough evidence to lead to an arrest. However, unknown to Costigan and his superiors, Boston's elite organized crime branch has been infiltrated by Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) who while as a child gained the trust of Costello after the older man becomes a near surrogate father figure. When Sullivan becomes a Massachuchests trooper, he serves Costello loyally by providing what information he can to protect Costello's operation from the police and the FBI.
The conflicts brought up by The Departed are many and often cross each other in their complexity. Costigan is an honest man placed into the role of a thief, liar, and even murderer while Sullivan is the criminal who is forced to play as the law. Over a year the two eventually realize that the forces attempting to protect and to destroy Costello are deeper then either could have realized. The love interest of counselor Madolyn, who neither Costigan or Sullivan realize has become involved with both of them, adds an extra layer of tension between the two. Much as in the fog of war, Costigan and Sullivan are two opponents who find themselves fighting but without a clear idea of who it is and even what it is they are struggling against.
Now to the problem. The Departed was a good movie and was well written and directed. However, the title of best picture of the year does not belong to this movie for at least one good reason. And this is Jack Nicholson whose character more or less resembles the role he played in As Good as It Gets except that he murders people and sells technology to the Chinese. I could not believe that Costello, who we are to believe is this genius underworld criminal hated and feared by the police and those who know him, was really who he claimed to be. Often he comes off more as comic relief in his conversations with both Costigan and Sullivan. The character was unbelievable and because of this the award of best picture should not have been given.
I would never say The Departed is a bad movie. However, I feel that the ultimate source of conflict, that is Frank Costello, was not strong enough or even reason enough for the plot that followed around him. The twists were well done writing was strong but these alone were not enough to make up for the character of Frank Costello. Costigan's and Sullivan's own conflict, while intense and well acted, were not enough to give such a high review and award.
What should have won best picture? Letters from Iwo Jima.
8/10