The Departed
Monday, 09 Oct 2006 15:06
Jack Nicholson steals the show in The Departed
Directed by Martin Scorsese, out in cinemas now, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg, running time 151 minutes
In a nutshell….
Graphic, violent, gripping, gangland thriller
What's it all about?
The Departed is a remake of Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, though here the plot is transposed to Boston, and instead of the triads the police are contending with a group of old school Irish criminals.
In the prelude we are introduced to Frank Costello (Nicholson) who presents both the charm and ruthlessness of his character, he recruits a young protégé (Damon) who enlists in the police force.
Later, in the present day, we see him graduating with his colleagues and ascend the ranks and both he and Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Billy Costigan, enter the special investigation unit whose job it is monitor the city's major criminals.
Deception and double cross ensue along with Scorsese's trademark of lusty, bloody violence as a representation of internal crisis and the consequence of desire.
This is an underworld battle against the police, who, if anyone, will win?
Who's in it?
There is an all star cast; joining Nicholson, DiCaprio and Damon is Mark Wahlberg as Dignam, and Martin Sheen as Queenan, who play the chief policemen in charge of the forces undercover agents, while Alec Baldwin as Ellerby, the head of the special investigation unit. Ray Winston also appears as Costello's main thug.
Nicholson dominates the film from the very start and is in imperious form, clearly revelling in his character's depravity. However, those familiar with the original will find it hard not imagine Tony Leung and Andy Lau in the roles occupied by DiCaprio and Damon.
As an example…
"When I was your age, they would say you could become cops or criminals. What I'm saying is this: When you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?" – Frank Costello
"We are all convinced that Costello has a least one mole in the special investigation unit" - Ellerby
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
The film has been almost universally well received and while Scorsese has somehow been overlooked for an Oscar in the past it might be his turn this time round. Jack Nicholson's performance is a tour-de-force which dominates and may earn him yet more awards.
What the others say
"The dialogue crackles wittily and obscenely, and the set-pieces are superbly staged." Philip French - The Observer
"Frequently excessive but never dull, "The Departed" is a little too much of a lot of the things that define Martin Scorsese films but it's also almost impossible to resist." Kenneth Turan - Los Angeles Times
So is it any good?
Scorsese has returned to form with this remake of a Hong Kong thriller that was surely influenced by the great man's previous output in the first place.
The character's are viewed with equal measure through Scorsese's lens as he sheds light on to both sides of the lawful divide. The violence is graphic, frequent and reminiscent of the final scenes of Taxi Driver.
This is a genuinely tense, fast-paced thriller where you don't know where to look next and those who have not seen the Hong Kong originals will be blown away by some of the twists, although it is still to be recommend to those who have.
This is imbued with a post 9/11 tinge which is becoming prevalent in the best American films currently, full of conspiracy and psychosis, with a final shot that says as much as any in the entire picture.
8/10
Dominic Beaumont 
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