Review of The Departed (2006) by Shane M — 23 Jan 2014

The film that won Martin Scorsese a long-overdue Oscar. Adapted from the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, the film follows the Massachusetts State Police infiltrating Frank Costello's mob, and trying to find a way to take him down, while looking for connections between both Costello and the police.

The film has a very well crafted storyline that remains constant, consistent, and always making the right transitions, thanks to writer William Monahan. The film has incredible acting that's also aided by the massive use of language and graphic violence, especially Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg.

While the first three deserved yet never got Oscar nods and/or won, Wahlberg received one, and with good reason. After Boogie Nights, Mark became a huge star, and taking the role showed that over the course of several years, he has matured as an actor, as well as the other candidates, and his role as Sergeant Dignam proves it.

DiCaprio puts himself in a gritty and tense situation as undercover cop Billy Costigan who's investigating Costello. Speaking of which, let's move on to another performance that is unsettling yet perfection.

Jack Nicholson portrays Costello with a massive temper to show that he's serious, and comedic actions to show a creepy side that soon reveals itself later on, impressive for a man who has portrayed creepy characters for years (guess that got him the role).

Matt Damon is a proud addition to The Departed as a cop who has a long history and connection to Costello, and shows a unique side of him that makes different from other cliché cops. This incredibly complex yet perfectly executed is made all that real by director Martin Scorsese, who captures the scenes perfectly alongside cinematographer Michael Ballhaus, and he has his first Oscar that he won for this film after so many losses, proving he is still a great filmmaker who doesn't disappoint in providing worthwhile contributions to the art of cinema.

Howard Shore does a great score, but the great thing about this is its focus on the theme of identity, leaving us wondering who the main characters truly are, and what their fates are, which are revealed in this film, leaving us surprised.

One of Scorsese's best films, and a must-see crime thriller.