This time, they gotta give Martin Scorsese an Oscar.

Rating: 10/10 (24 February 2007)

The 79th Annual Academy Awards will run tomorrow night, and "The Departed" is one of the Best Picture nominees. All that I can say is that they have to award Martin Scorsese this time. "The Departed" hits you like I have almost never seen in a movie. It is an absolutely great movie in terms of the acting.
First, we get narration from aging mafioso Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). He's been pragmatic about many things throughout his life, but he's never given up his life of crime and being one of the nastiest people whom you could imagine. Then, there's Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), joining Boston's police force but secretly infiltrating the mafia. Next, there's Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), one of Costello's acolytes secretly infiltrating the police. Add psychologist Madolyn (Vera Farmiga) to the mix, and you have a practically explosive situation.
One thing that you should understand about this movie is that almost every character is a total creep and there are basically no good guys; Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) is particularly bad. With all these characters being so vile, it is no surprise that we see violence and brutality that movies almost never show. It's the sort of stuff that makes you feel like the characters are pounding your face in. Don't be surprised if you walk away from "The Departed" feeling very shaken up. And you'll probably never want to be a cop after watching this.
Anyway, I say that even if they don't give the movie Best Picture, they gotta give Martin Scorsese a Best Director Oscar. His direction is top notch (as is almost every other aspect of the movie). I wholeheartedly recommend it. Also starring Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin and Kevin Corrigan.