The Departed [MA]

Rookie cop Billy Costigan has grown up in crime, making him the perfect mole to be on the inside of the mob run by Frank Costello. It’s up to him to win Costello’s trust whilst simultaneously helping his detective handlers bring Costello down. But the cops aren’t the only ones who have a man on the inside. Fine and upstanding SIU Officer Sullivan has everyone’s trust, making him the perfect mole amongst the cops, leaking information to Costello. 

This was a wonderfully mind-bending mafia drama ultimately about who has the last word: the goodies or the baddies. Filled with sinister and violent twists of the plot and knockout performances from all involved, The Departed is a fantastically dark and sinister crime flick. 

Rookie cop Billy Costigan comes from a criminal family, resulting in his being well connected and known amongst the various mafia groups in the city. This also makes him the perfect mole to have on the inside of the mob run by Frank Costello, a man whom the cops have been trying to bring down for quite some time. It’s up to Billy to get close to Costello and earn his trust whilst simultaneously feeding information back to the cops and helping his detective handlers bring Costello down. But the cops are not the only ones with a man on the inside. Fine and upstanding SIU Officer Sullivan has everyone’s trust and therefore, makes a perfect mole to have amongst the cops whilst simultaneously leaking information back to Costello. 

Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Departed is a wonderful crime flick that is ultimately about who has the final word: the good guys or the bad guys. Filled with mind-bending plot twists and plenty of violence and drama, it will have you gripping the edge of your seat. 

Adding to the brilliance of the story and the drama of the film are the knockout performances from Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, and Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Jack Nicholson, who plays Frank Costello, delivers a very moving mafia boss performance as he swiftly changes from suspicious and homicidal maniac to almost-family man. 

Matt Damon, who plays Sullivan, has a controlled and almost gloating countenance for the majority of the film. But this is slowly shattered as suspicions begin to arise and fear begins to set in. 

Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays Billy Costigan, delivers a very aggressive performance. Incapable of remaining calm for ten minutes together, it was especially moving to see his hardened and aggressive veneer melt away as things begin to get serious and his life hangs in the balance. To watch the fear, panic and desperation set was really beautiful. 

Also starring Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, and Vera Farmiga, The Departed was a violently powerful crime flick filled with brilliant twists of the plot, wonderful performances, sinister threats, and shocking ends. A truly epic and classic crime flick.