The Departed is likely to go down as Martin Scorsese’s greatest masterpiece. While based on the Hong Kong film, Internal Affairs, The Departed is certainly a unique work. The storytelling was completely engrossing with never a dull moment in the entirety of the film. With such a star studded cast the opportunity for a let down was huge, but The Departed blew away any expectations I had.
I have never seen a movie where so many star actors give the best performance of their career. Matt Damon has been brilliant in many of his previous roles, but took it to a whole new level in this film. It seemed as if Nicholson’s escalated his performance as to not be outdone by his fellow cast mates. Even DiCaprio haters will be wonderfully surprised by his character. I think DiCaprio plays up to the level of the material he is given, as he was able to do some wonderful things in this movie.
Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin, who would normally be headliners, lifted the film even higher with their supporting roles. Wahlberg provides some incredibly funny comic relief, and is surprisingly one of the most likable characters in the movie. These actors may have had limited screen time, but they were able to take that time and give our incredibly memorable performances. It’s rare to see a film where a supporting cast is able to make such a lasting impression on the viewers.
The Departed focuses on the thin line between good guys and bad guys, and from the law and the criminal. You get to look inside each character’s head and try to figure out exactly what their motives really are. Just when you think you have everything figured out Scorsese throws in a twist that has you questioning every thing you’ve seen so far.
I judge a films greatness by its ability to evoke emotions in me. After viewing The Departed I had to sit in my seat for 10 minutes just to catch my breath. The plot builds so perfectly that when it finally ends it hits you like a ton of bricks. This film may have been the closest I have seen to perfection. It provided more laughs than most comedies, and made me feel strong emotions for all the characters. I can’t wait for this movie to win best picture, as it has been a long time since a truly deserving movie has won.
