The Departed

Rating: 10/10 (27 October 2006)

Yeah so everyone who knows anything about movies has heard the fuss being made over the new Martin Scorsese movie The Departed starring Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Matt Damon. Many critics are saying it is Scorsese's best directed movie since the 1990's classic Goodfellas, and it deserves to sweep the Oscars this year. I have had the pleasure of seeing it twice during its opening weekend and I strongly agree with the above praise.
The Departed is an American re-telling of a Hong Kong movie Infernal Affairs and it has a very complex plot but here is a general summary from IMDb. "In South Boston, the state police force is waging war on Irish-American organized crime. Young undercover cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio giving some of his best work to date) is assigned to infiltrate the mob syndicate run by gangland chief Frank Costello (the legendary Jack Nicholson). While Billy quickly gains Costello's confidence, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon, also at his finest) a hardened young criminal who has infiltrated the police department as an informer for the syndicate, is rising to a position of power in the Special Investigation Unit. Each man becomes deeply consumed by his double life, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operations he has penetrated. But when it becomes clear to both the mob and the police that there's a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in danger of being caught and exposed to the enemy-and each must race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save himself. But is either willing to turn on the friends and comrades they've made during their long stints undercover?" Like I said above it is a very complex story, which is fitting because the two moles in each organization lead very complex lives. It is a thematically rich yet wildly entertaining movie about honor, duty, loyalty, and identity. It is not just an action/crime flick. The movie breezes by at a pace that feels like much less then its 2 hour and 30 minute running time. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers the best acting performance in the film and once again proves he is one of the finest actors of his generation. The terrific acting from the entire cast (also including Martin Sheen, Mark Whalberg, and Alec Baldwin), sharp screenplay written by William Monahan, and Martin Scorsese's brilliant direction make The Departed a masterpiece.
Scorsese is one of the very best American directors of all time. With this film he is exploring the gritty mobster territory that got him recognized over 30 years ago with his breakout hit Mean Streets (1973), yet at the same time telling a fresh and interesting story to make The Departed unique from his other work (unlike 1995's Casino which is basically just a Goodfellas ripÂ–off). I really think he will finally get a long overdue Oscar for best directing, an award he should have received multiple times in the past. The Departed will continue to be discussed in film circles for the next few months until Oscar night comes around, here is hoping it will dominate the ceremonies. It is one of the best films of the current decade as well as one of Scorsese's best films.