The Departed
Screenplay written by Alan Mak and Felix Chong adapted by
William Monahan
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Alec
Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Rated: R (Violence and language)
The Departed
Screenplay written by Alan Mak and Felix Chong adapted by William Monahan
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Rated: R (Violence and language)
In South Boston, the Massachusetts state police, their internal investigations and the FBI are waging a war against organized crime. Young recruit Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is assigned to infiltrate the mob syndicate run by chief Costello (Jack Nicholson). While Billy is quickly earning Costello’s confidence, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), has infiltrated the police department as an informer for Costello and is rising to a position of power in the Special Investigation Unit. Consumed by their respective double lives, they unknowingly share a relationship with a police psychologist (Vera Farmiga) while gathering information about the plans of the operations they have penetrated. But when it becomes clear to both the gangsters and law enforcement that there’s a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in mortal 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.
He Said: In a thick South Boston accent: Now, thaat’s what I’m taaken abat! Indelible scenes have lingered since I left the theater. This was one great film with the Jack Nicholson of old playing a part actually worthy of him in the care of a great director’s capable hands. This was very possibly Martin Scorseses’ best. “The Departed” was a film that did not insult your intelligence during its pace and had more nerve-racking moments than I’ve experienced in years. The rare combination of Leonard DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Alec Baldwin with Martin Sheen and Mark Walberg delivered the brilliant writing/direction unforgettably. If you like modern crime dramas, this one should be in your film library!
On the R&R Scale (1-10)
10 for script: clever, engaging and full of possible twists.
10 for direction: captured it all so well.
9 for acting: Nicholson 10, others 9 or 8 at minimum.
9 for plot: great complexity in layering.
10 for entertainment value: for a modern crime drama.
9.6 overall
She Said: Wow! Questionable loyalties and blurred identities with the hooks of a psychological thriller make this a brilliantly woven crime drama, par excellance. I was so enthralled by the characters and potential twists that I could almost take the considerable graphic violence as an integral element. Somehow Scorsese pulled off a film that was not all about the vile acts humans are capable of, illuminating the multi-dimensional script and characters that titillated the mind equally with shock value. The twists in the tale unfolded so ably by one of the most impressive assemblages of talent that I can recall. With all that world class testosterone charging every scene, Farmiga softened the hard edges, and finally, DiCaprio no longer seemed a man-child to me but depicted a seasoned character capable of almost anything on par with Matt Damon’s and Jack Nicholson’s memorable performances. Accolades for a violent crime thriller do not come easily from me, but they do not get better than this if you can take the degree of violence equally with the brilliant direction, script and acting.
On the R&R Scale (1-10)
10 for script: excellent adaptation for U.S. audiences.
9 for direction: Scosese deserves Oscar mention even with the violence.
9 for acting: Nicholson, DiCaprio, Damon excellent, others very good.
9 for plot: so engaging for a crime-thriller.
9 for entertainment value
9.2 overall
