The Departed
3.5/4 stars

A really good old fashioned film, with an excellent story and an unbelievable cast. This film really keeps you interested all the way though as you want to know what will happen to the protagonists, and how they will or won't get caught.

We have all seen All-Star cast films where they just did not gel, but Marty seems to have got a good performance out of everybody. You can tell that Jack Nicholson has been given huge leeway in how he wanted to take his character through the story, and as always seems larger than life, but do not mistake that for a recycled performance. Without giving nothing away, his meeting with Matt Damon in the cinema is certainly worth watching for novelty and imagination in introducing yourself to someone you know!!! This is the sort of film you come out of the theatre with a big smile on your face, and surrounded by good spirited chattering. There are twists but you do not lose track of events, and just lap up the quality that laces the film from beginning to end.

What we do not expect to find in his films is contrived plot twists, sudden, "clean' endings, and sub-plots that do not add up to much. Unfortunately, all of these short comings are found in "The Departed". The message of the film seems to be, that the world is full of rats, be careful. The message is drummed into our heads over and over again. The movie goes on too long, with both the villains and our hero coming unglued too many times. Okay, we get it. Move along.

Sure it is not Goodfellas, but then they say that genius only touches you once....but this is head and shoulders above the best that most other directors can make.

The Departed
Martin Scorsese
Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon
R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material.
151 minutes, 2 hours 31 minutes

Review by Wolfman