An old school style, but surprising and engaging crime thriller!

Rating: 9/10 (10 February 2007)

"The Departed" / 2006/ Directed by: Martin Scorsese / Written by: William Monahan / Starring: Leonardo DeCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen.
"The Departed" is a welcome change for director Scorsese from his last few films. Here he returns to an old school style crime thriller. With a first rate cast, an excellent adapted screenplay, strong lead and supporting acting, this film delivers in major aspects. Longtime veteran of Scorsese film's, Thelma Schoonmaker delivers some impressive film editing. The pace and rhythm of the film are near perfect, suiting and serving the story very well. The film begins with Nicholson's character narrating. We quickly learn his character and what he is about. We receive some background information on the story and main characters at this time. The film convincingly shows corruption on both sides of the law. Monahan's adapted screenplay, from "Infernal Affairs" changes the story setting to present day Boston. Damon's character quickly rises in the Boston State Police Department. DeCaprio gives one of his best acting performances ever as a misguided, violent tough guy with heart. I felt the film deserved two more Academy Award nominations: Jack Nicholson for Best Supporting Actor and Thelma Schoonmaker for Best Film Editing. I was surprised by the humor at the beginning of the film. Though all lead and supporting acting is impressive in this film, Wahlberg's character is my personal favorite here. I liked his tough, tell it like it is, no holes barred style. The film does has a few weaknesses such as the love interest story with the psychiatrist. The acting performance by Vera Farmiga as the psychiatrist is solid and convincing. Her character does serve well to show the personal weaknesses of DeCaprio's and Damon's characters. But it does not serve to move the plot forward. My only other minor complaint is the ending with the rat walking on the balcony railing, not really necessary, but perhaps, a last minute choice for a humorous exclamation point to who the villain really was.