Review of The Departed (2006) by Chris B — 24 Feb 2014

"The Departed" is another of Martin Scorsese's engrossing gangster drama films that is both gritty and character-driven in it's story. The film deals with loyalties and who you can trust and who are deceivers and it's not always a black and white situation.

The entire cast delivers exceptional performances and really make their character's believable and layered. Leonardo DiCaprio is the kid who grows up rough around the edges but ultimately is the most purely "good" character in the film and the real cop whereas in stark contrast is Matt Damon who was brought up under the wing of a well-known syndicate leader in the Irish mafia.

Damon who is purely corrupt and an informant for his up-bringer Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) appears as the aspiring and hardworking cop when in reality he is a rat for the mob. The film is best in it's hard-talking interactions between the cops and mafia members with some of the best coming from Baldwin and Wahlberg in their supporting roles.

The film is smartly written and it's characters are well fleshed out and complex and the story is engrossing and captivating for the viewer. There is heavy language throughout and some very violent killings and other acts of violence, standard practice for most of Scorsese's filmography, and should only seen by adult audiences and those comfortable with the adult content.

If you are then you will be rewarded with both a brutal and action packed film that is smart, funny and densely layered!