The Departed: A Movie that Truly Earned Its Merit

Director Martin Scorsese has given film lovers yet another brilliant work with his latest venture The Departed. A story of crime and betrayal in Boston, Massachusetts, this may be the finest piece of film making by the director that brought us such captivating titles as Taxi Driver, The Last Temptation of Christ, Good Fellas and Gangs of New York. Leo DiCaprio and Matt Damon play the central characters in a cast that is rounded out by Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin and Anthony Anderson. The writing is superb and Scorsese really got the most out of each actor's performance. It seems that everyone involved in this film was at the top of their game.

The Irish Mafia has infiltrated the Massachusetts State Police. Boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) has planted young cadets at the police academy hoping for their advancement so they may be used as informants. One youthful trooper in particular, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), races through the ranks and is given a job with the Special Investigation Unit. From his elevated position, Sullivan is able to provide Costello with any and all information he may need to protect himself or his less than scrupulous business interests.

Unbeknownst to Costello, two Internal Affairs officers (Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg) have convinced another state trooper to go undercover for them. Trooper Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) will have to do enough time in prison to convince Costello that he is no longer affiliated with law enforcement so that he may begin working for the Irish Mafia and acquire as much inside information about the boss as possible.

Billy Costigan proves himself to Costello and through a series of clandestine meetings keeps his contacts with Internal Affairs informed as to the mafia's every move. They would most certainly have arranged a bust if not for the warnings given to Costello by Sullivan. Before long, both sides realize that they're being watched by the other. The game of cat and mouse that ensues is nothing short of cinematic genius. Costigan and Sullivan are working against the clock to uncover each others identity and neither could have been prepared for the outcome they were about to face.

The Departed combines drama, action, suspense and intrigue with phenomenal acting and just enough plot twist to keep you guessing until the very end. It may be hard to believe that Martin Scorsese had never won an Oscar before but it's easy to see why The Departed was the work that garnered him that honor. There is no question, this film truly earned it's merit.