Today’s quick review: The Departed. Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a newly-minted detective for the Massachusetts State Police, is actually working for Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), a notorious Boston criminal. William Costigan, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), a police academy washout turned felon, actually is working undercover for the police, trying to infiltrate Costello’s gang. As the police ramp up their investigation into Costello, the situation grows dangerous for both men, and any mistake could cost them their lives.
The Departed is a tense Boston crime drama from director Martin Scorsese. Backed by a powerful cast, The Departed takes a dynamic premise and lets it play out with all the chaos it deserves. The dual cat-and-mouse game leads to high-stakes tension as both the police and Costello’s gang begin to suspect they have been infiltrated. How Sullivan and Costigan react to this pressure determines their fates, and the attempts of each to discover the other’s identity keep the plot escalating and moving forward.
The two main characters are compelling for opposite reasons. Matt Damon brings a charming, rascallish quality to Colin Sullivan that makes him a delight to watch. But his grace under pressure masks deeper insecurities and an uncertain moral compass. Leonardo DiCaprio is less immediately likable as William Costigan, a temperamental man who seems unable to bear the pressure of his position. But for all his flaws, his motives are ultimately pure. The two characters form a very solid core for the movie to play off of.
The Departed is fast-paced and intricate. The details of who knows what, who suspects whom, and just what is going on are all-important, and anything but a close viewing will not do the movie justice. Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, and Alec Baldwin all appear in supporting roles, rounding out the main cast with more familiar faces. While the tone of the movie is tense and unpredictible, The Departed is peppered with coarse blue collar humor that flavors the movie and keeps the drama from being overwhelming.
Watch The Departed if you are in the mood for a well-plotted crime drama with a top-notch cast. Sensitive viewers should be aware of the film’s pervasive swearing and violence. Those looking for an action movie rather than a chess game should also look elsewhere, as The Departed requires careful attention to follow. The payoff for this attention, however, is a well-crafted and dramatic film that lives up to its considerable potential.
8.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for an interesting, surprising plot, colorful characters, and great execution.