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The Departed

Review By: Clayton Davis
ClaytonDavis@TheCinemaSource.com

It’s a good, solid hit for the man, Mr. Martin Scorsese. Everyone has been wondering if this is the year he’ll receive his long overdue Oscar and I’m very comfortable stating that this will NOT be the year unfortunately. The Departed is a remake of the Hong-Kong film Infernal Affairs which tells the story of two men, Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) whom are on two opposites sides of the law and seem to have their lives revolving around one of the most notorious gangsters, Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Billy comes from a family of mafia lords and crime smugglers, however he seems to find his way into the honorable profession of law enforcement and wanting to make a difference. After his graduation from the academy, he is made an offer that involves getting entangled with the roots of his family and becoming the one thing he swore to fight against.

He is discharged from the police and serves a one-year prison sentence and upon his departure, joins the crowd of Costello made up of scandalous thugs and convicts, in order to gain information and evidence to convict the felon. But Costello has some tricks up his sleeve and his infamous nature is guarded by the inside of the commandment. Many years prior to Billy’s infiltration, Costello befriends a young boy and makes him his own personal messenger and protégé, Colin Sullivan. Colin is well trained and Frank convinces him to join the Boston State Police as his source of crime and information. He tips Frank off for police operations while quickly moving his way up the ladder of success in the department.

The two men accept their tasks and we are thrown into the ultimate story of corruption, deceit and loyalty. Billy Costigan is the most complex character thanks to the powerful performance by Leonardo DiCaprio. Billy has his own personal demons and is in constant battle within himself, from his crimes with Costello to his loss of humanization. Billy seems to lose himself in the film and is in long search of redemption for his misdemeanors. DiCaprio is truly a gifted and talented actor and continues to show us that he isn’t the same boy/heartthrob from Titanic, his Billy is perplexing and utterly haunting. DiCaprio’s performance is the best of the cast but I’m afraid the role doesn’t garner the “Oscar scene” to gather true awards attention. He does have some powerful clips, although they’re a part of an action flick that few actors can seem to find their way out of and onto a short list called the Best Actor race. The film would need to be a unanimous hit for him to pull off nomination #3. His Boston accent is great and the fury that ...