Masterpiece

Rating: Null/10 (29 February 2008)

Departed, The (2006)
**** (out of 4)
I went and saw Martin Scorsese's latest film today and afterwards one thing jumped into my mind and that was the word masterpiece. From the time I first got on the internet I've always told people they shouldn't label a film a masterpiece for at least 10-15 years so you could see how a film would sink into you. However, I guess I'm going to have to break my own rule because I thought this film was absolutely flawless and it's certainly the greatest thing I've seen in a very long time. I had a top ten of this decade but this here jumps right at #1. I was a major fan of Scorsese's previous two films but this one here is vintage Scorsese. I really feel sorry for those who have to pick Oscar winners because this film is full of possible nominees.
DiCaprio once again turns in a super performance and Matt Damon gives the best performance I've ever seen from him. Jack Nicholson is someone you can always expect greatness from and he delivers here again but it was great seeing a great performance from him outside of a romantic comedy. As with Scorsese, this legendary teaming has Nicholson doing vintage work. I'm sure Nicholson will get a Supporting Actor nod but you could also throw in Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Adam Baldwin and even Martin Sheen. In most Hollywood films the movie would spend too much time with Damon and DiCaprio but I thought it was a brilliant move to make this thing more of an epic and give all sorts of character detail to the supporting players. Sheen really shines the most and I'd probably give him a nod before Nicholson.
I haven't seen the film this is based on so I'm not sure how much is the same or how much is different but I felt Scorsese grabbed you from the very start with Nicholson's narration cut to a beautiful camera shot and then, of course, The Stone's Gimme Shelter. Seeing the rise of Damon's character through the division was something else that really worked and I personally feel the film could have told more of his story at the start. When the two eventually get undercover I thought Scorsese showed his master's touch again. Most Hollywood films would have just set up several bang-bang scenes but this one here carried the suspense throughout. Little by little plot developments would occur and little by little Scorsese would build the suspense. I was a little worried about the 150-minute running time but the way everything was moving this here could have been doubled in length and still worked just as good.
No spoilers here but I thought the ending was brilliantly played out. I can't remember the last time I watched a movie and thought it was over only to be hit upside the head with a complete and utter shock where I was asking myself if something really happened.