Another Review!! The Departed

Time for another review for a movie I just recently watched.

The Departed is absolutely one of the better films in recent years. After months of hype, I decided it would be a perfect film to watch. Here is a brief overview of the movie, Billy Costigan, played by Leonardo DiCaprio is a new police recruit offered a risky undercover job by his superiors (Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg). His mission is to infiltrate the intricate world of Boston mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) from an inside perspective, posing as a low-class criminal. Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is one of Costello's men who has joined the police force as a mole to keep tabs on the cops and always remain one step ahead. As both men sink deeper and deeper into their phony undercover roles, they learn more about each other, leading to an exciting hunt where they both scramble to reveal the other's true identity without breaking their own cover.

There's a very good reason why director Martin Scorsese is regarded as one of the greatest directors of modern films; he's one of the few classic filmmakers working today, calculated with his visual ideas and always on top of his game in keeping an upbeat rhythm throughout his movies. From his classics such as Goodfellas, to Casino he has remained consistent. The Departed returns Scorsese to the criminal underworld, which is his greatest area in filming. He just has an eye on the streets and portrays it very well. This sure classic is undoubtedly one of the great’s best films. He practically has every star wanting to play a role in his movies, and that just adds another knife to his drawer in being able to create a true work of art.

The Departed is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong action flick, Internal Affairs. The star of the show here isn't the unbelievably great cast, but the gritty, dangerous streets of Boston. This film just reminds you of the true feeling you feel when in north eastern America; Scorsese treats the viewer into the Irish-infested waters of Beantown where outsiders aren't given a welcome and the suspicious are killed in an instant. It goes above and beyond the heavy accents and smoky, alcoholic bars; Scorsese captures The Departed with a tremendous amount of street authenticity, placing action in specially selected locations where they most fit. He shows how these different neighborhoods have rivalries just like you would find any place else, but with added emotions. Pride definitely plays a large role in these characters. The Departed is a violent and realistic crime saga that continuously takes the viewer on a roller coaster which the plot gradually is revealed and it delivers.

This film would definitely receive two thumbs up by me, and I am still in awe about how Martin Scorcese can always portray a story so vividly and not bore the viewers to death with details. If you ever find yourself bored in the next couple of days, or just want to see a great story, head out to the local theatres and watch this movie. From the star-studded lineup to the realism of the streets, there is something for everyone in The Departed.