The Departed

The Departed is no normal gangster movie – it's a Martin Scorcese gangster movie. From the director of Casino, Goodfellas and Mean Streets, this film has a lot to live up to, and exceeds admirably.

The Departed is a remake of the iconic Hong Kong block-buster Infernal Affairs, and Scorcese creates a fresh look at a fantastic concept: Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) is a Boston cop deep undercover in a mob syndicate run by Frank Costello (portrayed dementedly, and brilliantly, by Jack Nicholson). Colin Sullivan (Damon) is a Costello mob member deep undercover in the Boston Police. Each comfortably climbs the ranks into the trust of their enemies, until they're sent to find the mole in each camp - themselves. Their fragile lives quickly become incredibly complicated; where no one can be trusted and the terrifying truth is as close as a bullet in the head. A clever concept; brilliantly played and brutally executed.

Martin Scorcese weaves the plot seamlessly throughout the film, and the violence explodes - raw brutal and bloody - onto the screen. DiCaprio, Damon and Nicholson are truly superb throughout, and The Departed also boasts a supporting cast that includes Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone and Alec Baldwin in some of their finest and most memorable performances.

With some brutal twists, a killer soundtrack and a truly shocking finale, The Departed is a devilishly intelligent gangster film that once more cements Scorcese at the top of his game.