'The Departed' is what all those critics have been waiting for

Rating: 10/10 (7 October 2006)

When you read reviews of Martin Scorsese's films from the past sixteen years, you'll notice a sense of disappointment with the films, as the critics usually express a dissatisfaction with the main character - arguing that whatever film they're reviewing lacks in comparison to Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Mean Streets, etc. Frankly, I loved Cape Fear, Casino, Bringing out the Dead, Gangs of New York and the Aviator. They are all, in their own ways, unbelievable tour de forces that left me shaking by tail credits. I'm even coming around on Kundun. I usually hate the day a new Scorsese movie opens, because I'm flooded with reviews from critics who are chiding that they weren't graced with another Jake LaMotta. With this movie, they seemed to find the pill easier to swallow, and it's easy to see why. It's bloody, it has a cast full of a-listers, a plot that's been around so long every kink has been ironed out, and Jack Nicholson, who deserves a few more awards for his turn as Frank Costello. I haven't had this much fun watching him since As Good as it Gets - but this time, it's a bit of a guilty pleasure. He is funny, frightening and pathetic all at the same time, a character so large he practically jumps off the screen. But of course, when you watch a Scorsese film, you're watching actors who are willing to take amazing risks because they trust the man at the helm - everyone in this movie gives the performance of their life. So, I was happy yesterday to read the positive reviews in all the trades and papers. Finally, people are starting to ease up on the guy a little. Not every film is Raging Bull, and that suits me just fine. This movie has everything for a Scorsese fan - melancholic main characters, a hint of religious undertone, blood, rock and roll, Thelma Schoonmaker, Michael Ballhaus, and a third act that really gets the blood rate up. I loved it so much, I'll see it again tomorrow.