The Departed

            This is Martin Scorsese’s (Dir. The Aviator) best film since Goodfellas.We follow Scorsese as he delves into the underground of the Boston mob scene. Headed chiefly by one Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson, As Good As It Gets), and his enforcer associates, as they engage in various drug and stolen goods deals. Including of course, trying to sell microprocessors to the Chinese government.

            Two key characters reflect eachother in the underground world. First, there’s Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting) who is a top brass in the Massachusetts State Police, and spotless, emaculate record. He’s also Costello’s adopted son, and a mole in the State Police.

            Second, we have William Costigan (Leonardo Dicaprio, The Basketball Diaries) who is a man from a disreputable family, filled with gangsters and lowlifes. He too is a State Police Officer, working in the undercover division. He is soon shipped to prison, and then absorbed back into the drug racket as a cover to get him “in” with Costello. The only two people that even know he’s a cop are Captain Queensland (Martin Sheen, Apocalypse Now) and Sgt. Dignam (Mark Wahlberg, Boogie Nights).

            The two parody and shadow one another perfectly, each countering the others movie without even knowing the identity. After several narrow encounters, the two finally cross paths, and everything becomes clear. Or becomes even more confused. IT’s a surprise ending and a brilliant story told by a master story teller, and played out by expert players. A certain 2, and oscar hopeful. It puts you in the mood for a Scorsese marathon. Booyah.