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Howdy! 

I got the chance to watch the Martin Scorsese crime thriller ‘ The Departed’ An American remake of the Hong Kong ‘Infernal Affairs’ franchise.  The film won four Academy awards including Best Picture and Best Director, deservingly so!  Personally, I thought it was up there with Scorsese’s best work, which has to include Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Casino etc…

The film centers’ on two just-graduated officers from Massachusetts State Police Academy following opposite sides of the law: William / Billy Costigan Jr. (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is assigned to work undercover with the Irish mobster Frank Costello (played by jack Nicholson) in order to get evidence to ultimately arrest the mobster. DiCaprio’s true identity is only known by his superiors Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) and Oliver Queenan (Martin Sheen). The protégée of Costello, Colin Sullivan (played by Matt Damon), is promoted in the Massachusetts State Police and is the informer of Costello. Each man becomes deeply consumed by his double life, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operations Costello is involved with.  Although, when it becomes clear to both the mob and the police that there's a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in danger of being caught and exposed to the enemy.  Each must race to uncover the identity of the other man / “rat” to save himself (the “rat” is Matt Damon if you want to know)

I have never seen the original ‘Infernal Affairs’ trilogy, so I couldn’t say if it follows the same adaptation.  Although I felt ‘The Departed’ was a suspenseful, gripping and edge of your seat crime thriller.  The monologue of Jack Nicholson at the beginning of the movie introducing the Irish/Catholic setting, were its low key lighting and you never see his face, but only hear his voice was a joy to watch and a great start.  I thought the cast was excellent.  DiCaprio, Damon and the ever-reliable Nicholson were on top-notch form.  The support cast of Wahlberg, Sheen, Baldwin and Winstone were great too, especially Wahlberg who is a scene-stealer, who portrays his role with great conviction and passion.   The intensity of the final 20 minutes has everything a finale could have.  Its fast paced, suspenseful, plots twists and practically everyone is killed off.  Never saw the lift scene coming!                                     

The cinematography is well crafted - the camera positions grasp the scene in its fullest while avoiding being generic.  The direction is pure Scorsese - the steady cam shots, the unexpected explosions of violence and the combination of humour and bloodshed.  The screenplay by Monahan is very good too. The dialogue is harsh, crisp and clever with an outstanding soundtrack, which includes The Rolling Stones ‘Gimme Shelter’.  Overall, the film is an exciting tale of deception and violence mixed with a strong cast. 

"I don't want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me”. – Frank Costello

Cheers