Movie Reviews

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, Vera Farmiga
Director: Martin Scorsese

The Departed looks to be based on the life of Boston Gangster Whitey Bulger, though never mentioned. Taking place in modern day Boston, it's the telling of a gangster who has put moles into the Boston State Police to act as his informants. You find out everyone is on the take and its a fine line between cop, criminal and informant.

Scorsese's film is a great mix of violence and humor and the multitude of talented actors stand out. Jack Nicholson does a stunning job as Frank Costello the Boston Mob Boss and may be nominated. Alec Baldwin is humorous as Captain Ellerby who heads up the Special Units department and the two main characters, Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Damon) play well as the local boys becoming cops. Even Mark Wahlberg the foul mouthed Sargeant does a great job as the hard ass cop. Vera Farmiga plays Police Psychiatrist and the love interest in both Billys and Colins life. Eventhough I dont really see a shrink falling in love with a drug addict, undercover cop but thats just me.

A great unexpected ending that left the audience gasping in the theatre, but the final scene while thrown in for humor I felt should have been left out.

Overall a great little brother to Scorsese's pinnacle crime drama Goodfellas.

Grade: A-

Get Tickets to See The Departed