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| Movie Review: The Departed Alternate Title: No Way Out
Story: Director Martin
Scorsese has hit a home run with this remake of the Hong Kong
film, Infernal Affairs by Alan Mak and
Felix Chong. The brilliant screenplay by William Monahan
adds to this thoroughly entertaining and thrilling movie. This time out the film takes place in Boston
with the basic storyline retained but greatly enhanced. Two of Boston's
Irish youths go to the Police Academy. One ends up a mole for the police
department by infiltrating the gang of wanted mobster, Frank Costello.
The other, a member of the Costello family, becomes a mole inside the
police department. How these two men live their lives of deception with
all of the tension of being caught is the meat of the film. And I do
mean tense. It is suspenseful, fast paced and fully engaging. Everything is done right. The editing is solid,
the acting is terrific, the score works magically and the cinematography
all consuming. If you like films about loyalty, family, betrayal
with a whole lot of violence check out this must see film. Acting: Leonardo DiCaprio does fine
work under the deft hand of Martin Scorsese. He is an actor with soul
and heart. Matt Damon gets better with each film that
he makes. Jack Nicholson is over the top - but that
is pretty much what we get when we see Jack these days. Mark
Wahlberg is a treat to watch on his home turf of Boston. Martin
Sheen (playing the role that was supposed to go to Robert de
Niro) is always good. Ray Winstone is my favorite thug.
Vera Farmiga adds a much needed level of estrogen to
this high testosterone film. Alec Baldwin is always
good and does not disappoint in this film either.
Predilection: I like Martin Scorsese and everyone
in this film.
Critters: There is a mention of cats, but there are
no critters in the film.
Food: Some seafood, delicious desserts, and a banana.
There is also a scene where cranberry juice has an important cameo.
Blatant Product Placement: Dell, Wonder bread.
Soundtrack: Exceptionally fitting.
Opening Titles: The title of the film does not appear
until fifteen glorious set up minutes into the film.
Visual Art: Not much art - just some family photos.
Theater Audience: There were more people than I expected
for a Monday show. The we remembered it is a holiday.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: As I said before, there is violence
that is a bit sudden and squirmy.
Drift Factor: If you drift during this film you will
not know what is going on.
Predictability Level: Even though I had seen the
original I was not exactly sure what Scorsese was going to do at the
end.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: YES
Soap Box: The Academy Award voters should be pistol
whipped for not yet giving Scorsese an Oscar.
Nit Picking: There were a few scenes that could
have been left on the cutting room floor thereby shortening the film
a bit.
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen without a doubt.
For some of my other favorite Martin Scorsese films,
try renting: The Aviator, Gangs of New York ,Casino, The Age of
Innocence, Goodfellas, New York Stories, The Color of Money, The King
of Comedy, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore,
Mean Streets
Length: 20 minutes over the two hour Lobo rule but
the film is so good I was not going to hold it against them.
LOBO HOWLS: 9.25
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