A Film for all movie lovers

Rating: 9/10 (19 March 2007)

In the film The Departed directed by Martin Scorsese audience viewers will get to experience an action packed film, filled with internal character turmoil, played by some of the best "A" list actors Hollywood has ever seen. The three main characters, Billy Costigan played by Leonardo Decaprio, Colin Sullivan played by Matt Damon, and Frank Costello played by Jack Nicholson are all facing a moral and ethical dilemma. Throughout the film the audience will see how each character contemplates doing what is morally right, or sticking to their alliances with other characters in the film.
In the opening scene of the movie we are shown how Colin's allegiance to Frank Costello, played by Jack Nicholson, is developed. Colin is a young child sitting isolated in a deli. Frank comes in to collect "taxes" from the deli owner. After causing a commotion with the deli owner, Frank makes the owner give young Colin milk and bread, because Frank knows that Colin does not have a good family life. Fast Forward into time and Colin is now working his way through the Boston Police Department to work as a mole for Frank Costello. Simultaneously as Colin is going through the ranks we are introduced to Billy who is working through the ranks for good intentions, to change the perception of his family's name.
The director, Martin Scorsese uses a variety of film techniques to portray the underlying mystery and suspense in the film. Scorsese uses a lot of low-key lighting to create an almost depressing atmosphere in most of the action scenes. The audience can almost predict when something bad is going to happen. Scorsese also uses high angle shots to diminish Billy's worth within the police department, while low angle shots are used to make Collin appear more respected. This style of directing can also be seen in Orson Wells film Citizen Kane.
The Departed is a film that all movie viewers will love, whether you're looking for a love story, an action flick, or a suspense thriller. Viewers will be on the edge of their seat from the start of the movie all the way up through the end of the movie. As the characters develop, and the plot thickens, viewers can't help but to hope that good will overcome evil.