The Departed is now number one at the box office. On another subject Ray Liotta's new show Smith has been cancelled.

THE DEPARTED (2006) - ****1/2

The Marty is back.

In easily his best effort since CASINO, if not the masterpiece GOODFELLAS, Scorsese returns to the world of mobsters and whackings on the streets, this time in the Irish sphere in Boston.

INFERNAL AFFAIRS(****), the Hong Kong International sensation, was a pretty damn good movie. It took a great premise, and actually rocked the joint with pretty-well execution.

However, Scorsese actually improves upon the concept of INFERNAL AFFAIRS. Perhaps its the elaboration on the beginnings for Damon and DiCaprio, or Scorsese getting a hell of a cast together to kick ass. Hell, I still can't believe I saw Mark Whalberg ownining the joint in his scenes.

Then again, it could be that with THE DEPARTED, its ending, while quite similar to INFERNAL AFFAIRS, is very different in tone and mood. With IA, the ending is very solemn and of sorts, a happy ending that arises from the tragedy that occurs.

With THE DEPARTED, its not an audience pleasing ending, but more appropriate for the fate of certainly the last victim of this universe.

Jack Nicholson is a lock to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, and besides the usual technical noms expected for a multi-nom Scorsese movie(Schoonmaker for editing, etc.), I actually think Damon and DiCaprio each make a case for a nomination for Best Actor. Who knows, the Academy might give a mercy fuck to the great Martin fucking Sheen. Hell, they did it to Alan Alda for AVIATOR.

Most of all, of the last few years, this is Scorsese's best chance at winning the Best Director Oscar. This film isn't obvious Oscar baiting, but actually an entertaining drama that doesn't sacrifice its artistic merits to score big at the box-office(with Scorsese's biggest opening weekend in his career).

I saw "The Departed" the other day and loved it! I thought DiCaprio and Nicholson were great , Damon not so much. The final half an hour is over the top violence, which can be done poorly at times but Scorses made it work. I liked the ending where everyone drops like flies and the expression on Mark Wahlberg's face when he...well I don't want to give the film away.

I disagree, I thought Damon was kicking ass as well. Of course, Leo's acting is more based on emotional-based adrenaline in his motions. Damon is more of a subtle person who, even when he gets pissy and angry, doesn't break his mold. He acts more with his eyes, which is an important attribute, and possibly a good reason for his successful BOURNE film franchise.

Anyway, glad you loved the film too, and the ending. Funny enough, everyone here with smart eyes, and nobody noticed the rat on the balcony at the end.

Though directed by Martin Scorsese, "Departed" doesn't feel like a Scorsese gangster film--certainly not like the masterpiece trilogy "Mean Streets," "Goodfellas" and "Casino." Those films used a series of fast-moving scenes (often with mordant humor) to keep up the pace--critical for the latter two, which ran 2.5 and 3 hours respectively. But "Departed" feels slow at times, despite near-constant, white-knuckle tension.

Acting is uniformy superb. Jack Nicholson, over the top as only he can be, plays the Irish mob boss, a crude thug despite his occasional philosophizing. Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio are the cop protagonists, one good, one bad (I won't say which)--Matt a smoothie, Leonardo from the wrong side of the tracks. Martin Sheen is the fatherly boss, Mark Wahlberg is the nasty boss. Alec Baldwin does a nice turn as a senior FBI guy. Vera Famigia is excellent as a love interest, though the triangle Scorsese set up with Damon, Leo and her is, IMO, unnecessary.
There's far more violence than in the usual Scorsese movie. He's never shied away from violence, but has used it graphically but sparingly, which enhanced the shock value. Here it's almost excessive. But I liked it. The performances alone are worth the price of admission. Best: Leo, who's terrific as a guy torn and on the edge all the time.

I watched it yesterday.

Nicholson is vintage Nicholson at his best. As for DiCaprio, well his performance definitely wipes out his past typecast image and IMO removes any doubts that some may have had of his acting abilities. A very convincing job of acting by an excellent cast of characters in a well made movie.


Don Cardi

I agree 100% DC. Both DiCaprio and Damon have put to rest their "pretty boy" images, and have shown real acting chops.

Have'nt seen it yet but i am going to see it Thursday night!
Looking forward to it very much.

Did Damon ever have that pretty boy image?

Anyway, I haven't seen the movie yet but by the looks of the trailers your right that DiCaprio looks like he's matured. I can't wait to see this movie, I keep hearing so many good things!