Pheonix, Thy Name is Scorcese

Film: The Departed
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg
Director: Martin Scorcese

Rats, rats everywhere
Not one to be found

Never in recent memory has this lowly rodent been the toast of a Hollywood movie. We are talking about two-legged variety. The snitch, the mole, whatever you may call it. And in The Departed, they rule the roost. And when the ship starts to sink, they have nowhere to desert but go down.

The Departed is a roller coaster ride through the mean streets of Boston where cops and criminals play a dangerous game of one-upmanship. This is an age where innocence was not lost, it never was there.

The raging bull lording over the gangs of Boston is Frank Costello (Nicholson). The good fellows in the police department hatch up an ingenious plan wherein they infiltrate Costello’s ranks with an undercover agent Costigan (DiCaprio). Unfortunately for them, Costello has also put his man Sullivan (Damon) in the police. In true pulp style they both fall for the same girl Madolyn (Vera Farmiga). Who becomes the bigger superstar?

Leonardo DiCaprio is Jack Dawson no more. The pretty boy can act and he has no better teacher. Matt Damon is a perfect foil. Mark Wahlberg has his best role yet, while Alec Baldwin is hilarious. The actor in Jack Nicholson is often overshadowed by the larger-than-life persona of Jack. Here for most part the actor makes his presence felt. However, Jack is always lurking around.

Martin Scorcese has risen from the ashes. He has left his quest for that elusive Oscar aside and gone back to doing what he does better than most -- crime drama. At the end of the year comes one of its most enjoyable films. Pulp it may be, but what pulp. Take a bow, Marty!