The Departed (2006) Reviews

  Scorsese has created yet another riveting, powerful, violently profane movie centered around the exploits of gangsters.

Scorsese begins the film by repeating himself. A voice-over by Nicholson is delivered, while the Stones' Gimme Shelter plays and one of those smooth traveling tracking shots floats us through the scene. We want this scene in a Scorsese movie even if it is a re-run-and just as we realize he's repeating himself, he stops the voice-over (for the rest of the film as a matter of fact). We are put right into the world of the sadistic Boston gangster named Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson)...

     As so often in Oscar History...this was a clear cut instance of making up for past slights (especially the passing up of "Gangs of New York" and "The Aviator").

 That in no way implies that "the Departed" is a bad film....( it is in fact a crackling return to the tough and vital crackling good action of his early career)....it just lacks the vision, stature, and elegance of his later masterpieces).

 The DVD does a striking job of highlighting the film's strengths...especially the charisma of the carefully handpicked cast. 

The dark violence and unrelenting coldness will be sure to put...

This is by far the best movie that I have seen lately!  In fact, my hubby and I watched it at the theater when it first debuted and rented it through blockbuster.com to watch it at home again recently!  He knew how much I loved it.  I was literally blown away by all the twists and action, particularly near the end ... if you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about.

First Martin Sheen takes a "dive" and then I was feeling pretty bad and SURPRISED about Leonardo -- even the second time, "OMG, OMG ..."  It reminded me of another movie with Nicholson and Pacino one night at an airport behind...

This film is, simple put, phenominal... it brings the alter-ego of human nature and pits it up against some pretty bad cops.... one begins even to ask oneself "who should we root for?"  Nicholson's portrayal as Frank Costello frightens and entertains like no other performance of the 21st century.  DiCaprio suddenly gains some approval and acts the part perfectly.  Damon was decent, but a very flat character with no room for development, Whalberg was MEAN yet perfect in his role (which earned him an academy nod).

Watch it!  it is simply amazing... see scorsese at his best!

This was so action packed and well written that I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The acting was superb, the storyline believable (and a bit frightening), throughout the entire movie I kept thinking this could really happen.

Jack Nicholson, as always, was one of the reasons this movie was so enjoyable. The plot, the cast, the whole package made for a very enjoyable film.

Great movie.

Couldn't ask for better actors to play the parts, it had all my favorites- I mean come on, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Leo, and Matt Damon-- all in one movie?? The plot and all the twists were fantastic, A+ ending. Definitely a movie to add to your DVD collection.

 It's definitely going to be a classic. You couldn't ask for a better person to direct it.