by Isabella Jordan The Departed Directed by Martin Scorcese, Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Walhberg, Martin Sheen Here we have the film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture this past year and there are many reasons why. Let's start with the story. We're presented with two young officers who are apparently in training to make careers for themselves in the Massachusetts State Police Department. One is Colin Sullivan who, for all of his aggressive ambition, we happen to know has been under the tutelage of one of the most notorious criminals the police are trying to get, Frank Costello. Things go easily for Colin. He is even placed on an elite crime fighting unit headed up by Ellerby, played surprisingly well by Alec Baldwin. He buys a swanky place with a view of headquarters, finds a wonderful, intelligent woman. Life is good.

We also meet Billy Costigan who has anything but an easy time of it. The powers that be, namely Captain Queenan, played marvelously by Martin Sheen, and the foul mouthed Dignam, played by the surprising good Mark Walhberg, don't seem convinced that Billy is right for the police. The shady past of the male members of his family and his high marks on his SATs (1400's) make them wonder if he shouldn't be "an astronaut instead of a statie".

He's given a dangerous assignment to prove his merit. He'll be charged with a fabricated crime, placed in prison for a brief period of time, and when he comes out he will help them bring down Frank Costello.

The corrupt cop discovers there is someone planted among the criminals he should be hunting. The good cop risks his life every day to help nab the bad guys and finds out there is a bad guy who has infiltrated the police ranks.

What follows is a showcase of superb acting, even from actors who aren't always stellar, and some of the best directing of Mr. Scorcese's career, though this reviewer still likes The Gangs of New York a little better. I can usually see the end coming in most any film but this one was a complete surprise even until the very end. It was believable, edgy, and carried a lot of truths and message about the way life is.

The acting? Leonardo DiCaprio was simply fascinating. His portrayal of an undercover cop in the most dangerous environment was frighteningly realistic. You could feel his fear and frustration. Matt Damon was good if a little too subtle as the crooked cop wannabe. His role didn't require the same intensity as his counterpart's but he held his own most of the time. Jack? What can you say? With his customary brilliance, he made Frank Costello insane, frightening, and even likeable at times.

The other thing I have to remark on is that though this movie two and a half hours long, it goes by with amazing speed and never loses its viewers' interest. That means the director did his job and presented quite a violent piece of work and was unapologetic for that.

In this reviewer's mind, the movie clearly deserved to be this year's best picture and I highly recommend it. It's not for the squeamish and definitely not for anyone under the age of eighteen.

Favorite line:

Frank Costello (Nicholson): When you decide to be something, you can be it. That's what they don't tell you in the church. When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I'm saying to you is this: when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?

Isy