Language: English
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio (Billy Costigan), Matt Damon (Colin Sullivan), Jack Nicholson (Frank Costello), Mark Wahlberg (Dignam), Martin Sheen (Queenan), Ray Winstone (Mr. French), Vera Farmiga (Madolyn), Alec Baldwin (Ellerby) and Anthony Anderson (Brown).
Producers: Brad Pitt, Brad Grey and Graham King
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writing credits: William Monahan, based on the screenplay for the film “Infernal Affairs”
Edited by: Thelma Schoonmaker
Music: Howard Shore
Release Date: October 6, 2006
Production House: Warner Brothers Pictures
Running Time: 150 minutes
Rating: R

Reviews

Its stars all the way with Martin Scorsese’s latest offering. The Departed is a remake of the Hong Kong Film Infernal Affairs but Scorsese and his all star cast add their unique imprint on the story leaving the audience breathless after the 150 minutes run.

Leonardo Dicaprio teams with the legendary filmmaker after his non-Titanic roles in The Aviator and Gangs of New York. Throughout the film – double cross theme – we have the much repeated Scorsese theme of the search for a mentor and redemption in the midst of unbelievable evil.

Leonardo’s character Billy is an undercover cop in the Irish mob boss Frank – given life by the sneering Jack Nicholson. Add to that Nicholson prodigy Colin – played brilliantly by Good Will Hunting star Matt Damon – whose raison d’etre is to infiltrate the Special Investigating Unit out to get the Frank.

Blood, gore, and unspeakable crime all set the perfect foil for some stellar performances not only by the main characters but also the supporting cast. The pale eyed Alec Baldwin intense Mark Whalberg and “West Wing”Mr. President Martin Sheen are brilliant as senior detectives and dominate the screen whenever they appear. Equally fascinating is the double lives of Matt Damon’s and Leonardo DiCaprio’s characters and how they clash as they both hook up with the psychiatrist Madolyn, played rather insipidly by actress Vera Farmiga.

A fact –paced thriller that leaves you wanting more even as you try to find the story within the story ‘The Departed’ is a must see not only for the action but also for the brilliant acting of its entire star cast. Both Leonardo and Matt go beyond their boyish good looks and give intense and hard-hitting performances as double agents suspended between good and evil.

A definite winner as can be expected from Martin Scorsese.