The Departed
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, Anthony Anderson
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Thriller
2006
Times Seen:
Tim: 2
Summary: A criminal kingpin (Jack Nicholson) has one of his men (Matt Damon) infiltrate the Boston police department. Meanwhile, an undercover cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) has infiltrated his gang. Now, both moles must try to discover the other's identity before they are exposed.
Review:
Tim: Martin Scorsese directs a brilliant crime drama. He has made so many incredible movies over the years, yet he finally received the Academy Award for Best Director for this film. It also won Best Picture, a very deserving honor. Scorsese directs a quick-paced, dark crime thriller that packs a very, very emotional punch.
The cast is one of the greatest assembled. Leonardo DiCaprio gives yet another incredible performance. He is surprisingly likeable. We really root for him and sympathize with his plight. He has some of the film's best lines- "You want them to chop me up and feed me to the poor?" He's incredible. Matt Damon likewise gives an extraordinary performance. He is so unlike most his characters. It is refreshing to see him take on a role like this. Jack Nicholson is in top form as criminal kingpin Frank Costello. In a career filled with so many great performances, this stands out as one of the best. Mark Wahlberg received a great many accolades for his performance, but I felt like he was one of the weaker actors in the movie. The rest of the supporting cast, including Martin Lawrence and Alec Baldwin, is all top notch as well.
The Departed is a grim, extremely violent movie. There is a great deal of violence throughout the movie, but it is always used to improve the movie, never purely gratuitous. It is a very well made movie, and deserved the Oscar for Best Picture. This is a great piece of filmmaking.
Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8
If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Casino, The Aviator, Gangs of New York