The Departed

Released in 2006, The Departed finally earned Martin Scorsese his long due Oscar for Best Director on his eight nomination apart from 3 other wins including Best Picture. Although it is not really one of his very best films and to some not the one for which he should have earned an Oscar, but it certainly is worth your time.

The movie is based on a Hong Kong thriller “Internal Affairs” and is about the lives of an undercover cop and a rat among the police force. The film kicks off with a trademark upbeat Scorsese beginning by the virtue of “I’m Shipping Out To Boston” by  
Dropkick Murphys. The music is well chosen by Scorsese as usual, as the film is actually set in Boston and its Celtic sets the mood for the film with a story of characters that are predominantly Irish. The film is star studded with one of the best names in Hollywood, bringing together Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Martin Sheen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Alec Baldwin and Mark Wahlberg in a single 151 minute feature.

The film which truly depicts the constant and nerve-racking struggle between the organized crime and the police force resisting it, which itself has to take measures like them in order to repel their force. The film is a real thriller and will keep you on the ends of your seat till the ending credits run. The film is especially a treat for the fans of  
Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon and Leo, who play protagonists in the story and have offered some brilliant performances. Wahlberg also had a very strong presence on the screen and played his part to almost perfection. Matt Damon, arguably one of the best actors in Hollywood today, will be found very fitting in one of the kind of characters that he is best known to play, remember his performance in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Scorsese is considered a specialist for depicting organized crime and the dark side of the human nature on the movie screen, but The Departed is different from the rest of his films concerning organized crime. The film shows you both sides of the picture, and also depicts what is happening on the side of the law. It is also different in its format. Where all of his other movies are either biographical and narratives, this film, in Marty’s own words, is his first plot based film. The film is full of crude language and violence. For a regular follower of Scorsese movies, that is nothing new, but those who are not used to all this or are even find it offensive should prefer watching the film on TV. However it is really worth taking a look at. The film is a real rollercoaster ride, but one which will really satisfy you to the end. You can at least be sure about that when you are taking time out to watch the work of the best director alive. A must for Marty’s fans!