Breaking and not breaking new ground

Rating: 8/10 (6 January 2007)

Despite the fact that the Departed is in part Martin Scorsese returning to his roots, it does not quite feel the same as acclaimed Scorsese pictures such as Raging Bull, Casino, Goodfellas, Taxi Driver and Mean Streets. Indeed, newer films by Scorsese like Gangs of New York are firmly embellished with his trademark. The Departed, however, whilst not groundbreaking in story or direction, is a step up for Scorsese. He has abandoned the past and is going for something based in the present, and furthermore, his trademark touch has softened.
Remade from the 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, the Departed follows a story of deception, betrayal and loyalty. Both the Boston Police Department and the local Irish mob send moles to infiltrate the opposing group. Ironically, the moles are paradoxes given the group they work for; Billy (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a rough cut cop with past connections to the mob; Colin (Matt Damon) is a straight edge opportunist with close ties to the Irish mob boss, Frank (Jack Nicholson). Both men have to earn the trust of the group they have infilitrated, and soon the line between who they work for becomes unclear. The storyline is a complex one, ridden with intrigue and deepens as the film progresses. It's unusual for Scorsese to craft something that is so based on its story, given that he goes for biopics. However, while the plot is crucial in the film, Scorsese does not pass up the chance to develop his characters and explore their psyche. It's a fine mix of both story and the people who are embroiled in it.
However, whilst the Departed is an unusual project for Scorsese considering what he is accustomed to, aside from that he is not hugely treading new ground. He doesn't do anything new with direction, and in the end you forget that it's a Scorsese film, as it is so largely led by its characters. Jack Nicholson is back on form with the sadistic, paternal Frank, whilst an impressive DiCaprio brings to the role the physical presence that has been lacking from his past films. Indeed, the cast is star-studded, including Ray Winstone, Alec Baldwin, Vera Farmiga, Martin Sheen and a brilliant Mark Wahlberg. On the negative side, conversely, as the film counts down to its climax, Scorsese brings the film to a lazy finish, cursed with rushed conclusions and a slightly contrived end.
The Departed is a film that shows Scorsese simultaneously focusing on character, direction and story, which is rare. Perhaps this is why his touch feels so distant, or perhaps the new arrangement of cast members. It's hard to tell. Nonetheless, he succeeds in making a thrilling, deep, well-crafted film that is superbly acted, but won't win him the Oscar that we've all been waiting for.
Atmospheric, complex, deep ... yet those loose ends remain present. It succeeds as a first rate thriller, but the Departed does not break any new ground and has by no means topped the Scorsese masterpieces.