Movie Review - The Departed

Martin Scorsese has amassed an unmatched legacy in the pantheon of great film directors. Arguably the greatest living director, Scorsese has continued to churn out great films for four decades. The last film of his to hit the big screen, "The Departed", was the one that finally nabbed Scorsese his much coveted Oscar. And for good reason: it is one of the best movies of the past decade.

The film, a remake of Japan's "Infernal Affairs" trilogy, centers on the cat-and-mouse game between the Boston Police Department and the Irish Mob, run by the ruthless Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Costello plants a mole, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), in the SIU of the Boston PD. Meanwhile, Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is sent deep undercover in Costello's mob in hopes of ultimately bringing him down. The two rats are then instructed to find each other, leading to a stunning and violent conclusion for all involved.

Scorsese has always been a master storyteller, and "The Departed" is no exception, taking the claim as his most entertaining film to date. Under his expert hand the film rolls at a visceral pace. The editing is sublimely quick and hostile in the streets, but there is no loss of tender moments as well. These may be morally corrupt characters, but that doesn't make you invested in them. Once scene between Costigan and his psychiatrist stands out as a beautifully edited sequence of outer violence and inner pain. Like many Scorsese pictures, "The Departed" also boasts an excellent soundtrack. Howard Shore's light guitar melodies are mixed in with Scorsese's finest songs, with the customary Rolling Stones leading the way. Aided greatly by William Monaghan's Oscar-winning screenplay, "The Departed" is a genuine street movie that packs both an entertainment and narrative punch unmatched by most films.

"The Departed" is one of the best acted films of the decade. Boasting an A-list cast, Scorsese, as he has done numerous times in the past, gets the best out of all of his actors. Jack Nicholson may be accused of over-acting, but I disagree completely. Costello is devious, loopy, unpredictable, and most of all evil, and Nicholson has a ball playing him. Damon gives one of the best performances of his career as the morally ambiguous Sullivan, a man whose strong allegiance to Costello conflicts with his love to Madelyn (Vera Farmiga). Mark Wahlberg, the films only Oscar nominee for acting, is exceptional as the foul-mouthed, tough guy cop who steals every scene he's in. However, the best performance of the film is given by DiCaprio. Arguably his best performance, he gives Costigan a tough exterior surrounding a wounded and fragile center. He is a man who wants nothing more than his own identity but works day by day on a tightrope operating as someone else. His loneliness and isolation are devastating when compared to work he does for Costello. Had it not been for his excellent performance in "Blood Diamond" that same year this performance would have been a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination. Other performances by Ray Winstone, Alec Baldwin, and Martin Sheen only add to the spoil of riches that "The Departed" boasts.

"The Departed" is one of Scorsese's best - though his best is a toss-up between Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, and Goodfellas - and is a worthy entry into the acclaimed director's resume. It is a triumphant return to the streets where his now grandiose reputation was built. Don't miss this film: it is a true example of an artist at his best.