"The Departed" **** (out of ****)One of the legitimate reasons film lovers had to criticize the importance of the Academy of Arts & Sciences was their refusal to give Martin Scorsese a "best director" Oscar. He didn't need it to prove anything, the public already acknowledged him as one of the greatest living directors, we were just waiting for the Oscars to acknowledge it as well. Well, there goes that!
"The Departed" is a remake of one of the most successful Hong Kong films in years entitled "Infernal Affairs". But Scorsese and screenwriter William Monahan make what could be described as a typical Scorsese film. Even though Scorsese is working with someone else's source material, he makes "The Departed" his own. What other American director could you imagine directing this film?
The film follows two Massachusetts State Police officers; Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon). Neither is what they appear to be. Sullivan is seen as a model cop. He is rapidly promoted and sent to work on a criminal case involving mafia boss Costello (Jack Nicholson). The twist is, Sullivan and Costello are old friends. Sullivan has been under the thumb of Costello since a child.
Billy Costigan on the other hand comes from a family and thieves and criminals. He is trying to better himself by becoming a cop. But he is told by two superior officers, Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) given his family history and his own, he's been in jail, he is not police material. Instead they have an offer for him. Work undercover, trying to get inside Costello's ring and try to find out who Costello's police contact is.
"The Departed" now becomes a story dealing with one of Scorsese's favorite themes; loyalty. Especially childhood loyalty. Could Sullivan ever turn his back on a man who was like a father figure to him? Can he turn his back on the oath he took with the Massachusetts State Police?
Sadly when this film was made Scorsese was getting a lot of uncalled for flack for his two previous films; "Gangs of New York" and "The Aviator". Both were great films and did not deserve to the bashed. Many of the pretentious film critics out there felt Scorsese was making Oscar bait films. His sole intention was to make epic films only so he could finally win a "best director" Oscar. I personally don't buy that, but, it is probably what lead him to direct this film. "The Departed" takes Scorsese back to those gritty mean streets he seems to know all too well.
Nearly every performance here is pitch perfect. Every actor and actress does a wonderful job fleshing out their character but, for me one person stands slightly above the others; Jack Nicholson. Easily one of our greatest actors in a league with Robert De Nero, Al Pacino and Gene Hackman, Nicholson relishes the role. Some may argue Nicholson is milking scenes but rarely has an actor enjoyed playing a villain more. Nicholson approaches the role with the same energy he did playing the Joker in Tim Burton's "Batman".
DiCaprio I'm happy to say has surprised me in his career. After "Titantic" I thought he was someone who merely got by on his looks and 12 year old girls. But, no. The kid can act. "The Departed" marks DiCaprio's third collaboration with Scorsese. With a fourth reportedly on the way. "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" with DiCaprio in the lead. I must admit I'm getting a little tired of seeing DiCaprio in Scorsese film after film but, he lives up to the challenge every time.
And just so you don't think it's an all boys club, Scorsese does throw in a female touch. Madolyn (Vera Farmiga) a psyichiartist who is dating Sullivan and treats Costigan. She is very effective in her role questioning everything around her and serves as a bridge between the two male leads.
"The Departed" brought a lot of praise Scorsese's way, winning various awards including a National Board of Review and Golden Globe award for his directing. And of course the Oscar. Which I guess just goes to show you, the Oscar's can't always screw up.
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