Matt Damon also continues to show us that he isn’t just Will Hunting. From his underrated performance in Syriana, Damon has been trying to show us a different part of him each time. Colin is the most hated man of the film, hands down. From his manipulation of the law to his constant deceit and betrayal of his peers, Damon truly finds his character’s axis. Colin Sullivan is greedy in power, arrogant in thoughts, and degrading in aura. The powerful and well put together screenplay elevates what could have been a very typical story and turns it into an action genre with slices of drama sequences that some films only dream of being. The pace of the film is just right with all the right decisions being made. Scorsese builds scenes with so much suspense that it’s terribly hard not to become knotted in the film and be at the edge of your seat.

Jack? Well…Jack, I believe is on his way to another nomination. Frank Costello is one of the most malevolent, immoral, sinful men of recent film history. Jack is the man and while he deserves the acclaim that he hopefully will receive for the role, he is in no way walking to the podium to accept a fourth Oscar. Even though he does many wicked things in the film, you start to admire the spirit and reputation of Frank Costello. He is the best put together player, head to toe, from his monologues about his past to his devilish humor; he chews scenery so well that he bleeds out the screen. There is no real reason to reiterate how great Jack is but it is great to see those sunglasses at the Kodak Theater from time to time.

While The Departed is jam-packed with suspense and thrills, there is a huge flaw that befalls the film and it’s its extremely weak ending. The film builds you up to a climax you cannot wait to see and experience but unfortunately, the end result is rather dull, flat and bland. While it didn’t destroy the film entirely, it did enough damage to not make it a cinematic gem. Also, the entrance of Vera Farmiga’s character as Madeleine, the police authority psychiatrist who starts to date Colin and ends up webbed in a love triangle with Billy is rather forced and unnecessary. It’s a bit too cheesy to suffice and the dramatic elements were enough without bringing in a tedious romance.

What are The Departed's chances for the upcoming awards season? I’ll say Jack Nicholson for supporting, the three-person writing team in the adapted screenplay category and a few technical nominations including sound, sound editing, editing and Howard Shore’s potent score. Scorsese could find a spot in the Director’s five but the film is too ...