Review of "The Departed"
THE DEPARTED (2006)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Written by William Monahan, based on the film Infernal Affairs written by Siu Fai Mak and Felix Chong, directed by Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone and Vera Farmiga
This film is set in Boston and concerns two young police officers, Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Damon), who both work undercover. Costigan is working undercover in the organisation of crime boss Frank Costello (Nicholson), while Sullivan, who grew up under Costello's wing, is leaking information about police activities to Costello. Both the police and Costello become aware that there is an informant in their midst, and both assign Sullivan to find the leak. To make matters worse, Sullivan's girlfriend, police psychologist Madolyn (Farmiga) starts a relationship with Costigan.
This film, based on a popular 2002 Hong Kong film called Infernal Affairs, is something of a return for Martin Scorsese to the brutal street films that made his name. Visually, the film is filled with Scorsese's trademark flourishes, as well as the usual electrifying score. It is also extremely violent, the toned-down colour frequently splattered by lurid splashes of blood, as people are shot, blown up, sliced up and beaten up. However the film remains a satisfyingly complex crime thriller, which is full of tension and memorable performances. Actors usually work at the top of their game with Scorsese and both DiCaprio and Damon turn in memorable performances, but the standout here is Jack Nicholson as the thoroughly evil crime lord. However, the film is not quite as innovative or startling as Scorsese's masterpieces. Nevertheless it is a welcome return to form, and also is a welcome return to the grittier, darker and more complex worlds of the 1970s "New Hollywood" films, in which Martin Scorsese started out.
Eight out of ten.
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Written by William Monahan, based on the film Infernal Affairs written by Siu Fai Mak and Felix Chong, directed by Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone and Vera Farmiga
This film is set in Boston and concerns two young police officers, Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Damon), who both work undercover. Costigan is working undercover in the organisation of crime boss Frank Costello (Nicholson), while Sullivan, who grew up under Costello's wing, is leaking information about police activities to Costello. Both the police and Costello become aware that there is an informant in their midst, and both assign Sullivan to find the leak. To make matters worse, Sullivan's girlfriend, police psychologist Madolyn (Farmiga) starts a relationship with Costigan.
This film, based on a popular 2002 Hong Kong film called Infernal Affairs, is something of a return for Martin Scorsese to the brutal street films that made his name. Visually, the film is filled with Scorsese's trademark flourishes, as well as the usual electrifying score. It is also extremely violent, the toned-down colour frequently splattered by lurid splashes of blood, as people are shot, blown up, sliced up and beaten up. However the film remains a satisfyingly complex crime thriller, which is full of tension and memorable performances. Actors usually work at the top of their game with Scorsese and both DiCaprio and Damon turn in memorable performances, but the standout here is Jack Nicholson as the thoroughly evil crime lord. However, the film is not quite as innovative or startling as Scorsese's masterpieces. Nevertheless it is a welcome return to form, and also is a welcome return to the grittier, darker and more complex worlds of the 1970s "New Hollywood" films, in which Martin Scorsese started out.
Eight out of ten.