Love it - the critic gets critiqued! :P http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/departed/reviews_users_article.php?articleid=1545081

From an IMDB poster who says they saw it at a advance screening in Boston last weekend (was there one?) - its an OMG review :-): User Comments: 2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful:- Best Scorsese Film. Period., 3 October 2006 Author: fburke69 from United States Oh my God. I can say without overstatement that I just saw the most gripping and entertaining American film to come out in at least the past ten years. I was lucky enough to get a pass to an advance screening of The Departed this past weekend in Boston. I wasn't sure what to expect and actually planned on being a little disappointed with all the expectations and hype of such an all-star cast. From the moment the opening credits came up, the movie grabbed me by the neck, ripped me out of my seat and didn't let go until the final scene. Each performance is more masterful than the next. Damon was a tour de force as the lead, tapping every ounce of his acting reservoir for this role. Nicholson creates another classic role to add to his already sterling resume. His mob boss would almost steal every scene he was in, if it not for every other actor being so fantastic However, the biggest surprise for me personally came from Leonardo DeCaprio. Having never warmed up to any of his roles or movies, I found myself blown away by him in this. I'm not sure if it was the material he was given, or if DeCaprio has grown this much as an actor, or a combination of both, but he finally won me over with his role in this instant Scorsese classic. Every character is pitch perfect, every scene is right on the money. The plot builds to a crescendo of such dynamic proportions rarely seen on film. I don't want to give too much away, but I'm still shaken from the ride I was taken on. People go to the movies in the hopes that maybe once in a hundred times you get to experience storytelling so masterful and transcendent that it changes the way you view cinema. This is one of those spectacularly perfect times. Forget Taxi Driver. Forget Raging Bull. Forget Goodfellas. As much as I LOVE those movies and as much as they have affected me in my lifetime, The Departed will hands down be Martin Scorsese's Master Work. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/

Another good one from Scott Renshaw - puts both Damon and Leo in the Paul Newman school of acting which is the highest form of compliment in my opinion :-))): This is what you must understand about the people who decide what will appear on your multiplex screens: Hollywood executives, as a rule, have no imagination. It could be the result of some unholy cocktail of too much sun, cell-phone radiation and leather office chairs—or, more likely, the distilling effect of an industry that rewards not those who green-light good films, but those who green-light profitable films. Whatever the reason, studio bosses generally find themselves baffled by anything that isn’t something they’ve already seen before. That is why we see so many sequels, remakes and cannibalizations of foreign films: Because those are things they can visualize selling. And because so many of these films are born out of a marketing plan rather than a creative plan, we who love movies justifiably approach them with fear and trembling. Sometimes, however, someone gets it right. As burned as we’ve been by seeing something as sublime as Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire translated into something as maudlin as City of Angels, there can still be bursts of inspiration. Screenwriter William Monahan and director Martin Scorsese have taken the 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs—already a crackling piece of genre work—and made it something even deeper and more resonant. The basic premise remains essentially the same, though the setting has been switched to Boston. Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) has risen through the ranks of the Massachusetts State Police, but unknown to anyone, his loyalty is actually to local crime boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), for whom Colin serves as a mole warning Frank of any investigation that might be getting too close. Frustrated by their failures, the police install their own undercover man in Costello’s operation: Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), son of the one upstanding citizen in a mob-connected family. As both Sullivan and Costigan prove exceedingly good at their jobs, tensions mount both in their respective places of employment and in their own minds. Those who have followed Martin Scorsese’s career through films like GoodFellas and Casino might expect his return to the crime underworld to be a flashy, kinetic affair. Yet while The Departed never feels remotely as long as its two-and-a-half hours, Scorsese is more interested in letting Monahan’s script and the performances do the heaviest lifting. And it’s a blast of a script, at times hilarious when Monahan lets his dialogue percolate with the swaggering machismo of cops. Mark Wahlberg and Alec Baldwin are among those who get terrific supporting roles, snapping off insults and rattling off profanities in a way that makes The Departed far more purely entertaining than you might expect. But even work as colorful as theirs can’t overshadow the magnificent performances of Damon and DiCaprio. Both seem destined to belong to the Paul Newman Club of actors so good looking that their talent might not be fully appreciated until they get their subscriptions to Modern Maturity. Yet they’re both in top form here as men so immersed in playing roles that they begin to lose a sense of who they really are. Nicholson gets to be his inimitably showy self—descending into paranoia and curling his eyebrows around speeches about rats—but The Departed belongs to his two young co-stars. That’s because Monahan has taken roles that were already interesting in their original incarnation and made them richer and more layered. A back-story establishes Sullivan’s connection to Costello as a mentorship going back to his childhood; Costigan’s motivations for bringing down bad guys emerges from his own anger over isolation from his crime-connected relatives. While Monahan wisely hangs on to most of Infernal Affairs’ best set pieces and plot points, the potentially risky changes he does make—like combining the characters of Sullivan’s fiancée and Costigan’s therapist into one (Vera Farmiga), or compressing the time frame so that Costigan is a relative newcomer to Costello’s crew rather than a trusted veteran—almost all pay off. If there’s one notable exception to that success, it comes at the climax, with a resolution that offers less moral ambiguity than that of its predecessor. It’s an unfortunate dissonant note on which to end, since to that point The Departed feels nearly flawless—an invigorating combination of funny, electrifying and genuinely tragic. Monahan and Scorsese might have known that pitching a remake could get them a green light, but they also knew how deliver something more than a poster concept. If the guys behind the camera have the imagination, it matters a lot less when the guys in the leather chairs have none. THE DEPARTED ***.5 http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/2006/cinema_1_2006-10-05.cfm Rated R

Capone from AICN http://www.aintitcool.com/node/30298 Capone Greets THE DEPARTED!! Hey, everyone. Capone in Chicago here. You may have noticed, but I don’t tend to work blue in my writing. There are family members who read my reviews, and they don’t much care for the four-letter words. That doesn’t mean I don’t throw in the occasional curse word every so often, but if you look at my body of work, I usually only get dirty when I hate a movie so much, it makes me mad enough to do so. This is not the case with the la-*test*-('") Martin Scorsese masterwork The Departed. Oh no. Holy motherfucking shit, this movie rocks 18 different sizes and shapes of balls. Balls were rocked so hard, in fact, I think certain areas of the taint may have been injured. I walked out of this movie stumbling from exhaustion and with an awesome sense of uncertainty. How was I going to do this film justice in a review? Maybe I just did. To say that Scorsese has returned to form is something of an insult to the man’s between-gangster-films accomplishments. Returning to the world of organized crime is nothing new; he’s reinvented the crime drama several times over with films like Mean Streets, Goodfellas, Casino, and even Gangs of NewYork. But The Departed is more of a culmination (although by no means a finale) of the career of the grea-*test*-('") American director still alive and working today. People have been cautiously optimistic at Scorsese’s return to the world of gangsters, and I’m here to tell you that you can officially lose any doubt. In a year when so many highly anticipated films have been either complete letdowns or not as good as they should be, The Departed is a film that is damn near flawless and actually exceeds expectations. If you read my preview of the Chicago International Film Festival, you’ll see that a couple more damn near perfect films are on the horizon (Oscar baiting season has officially begun, after all), but this film is an earthquake in your soul. It helps that Scorsese has assembled the grea-*test*-('") cast of the year. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan a low-level Massachusetts State cop with no family and little to lose, who is elevated to become an undercover agent in Boston’s Irish mob, led by one of the most evil creatures ever to occupy a movie screen, Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Only his superiors, played by Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg (one of the few Boston-area natives actually in the main cast), know Costigan's. The other major player in the film’s massive cat-and-mouse game is Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon, also a Boston son), who works as part of the Special Investigation Unit in the department, whose job is to take down Costello with help from the inside man. The only problem is Sullivan was practically raised by Costello and works as a high-ranking mole inside the department. Neither Costigan nor Sullivan know who the other person is, but they become aware of the other’s existence eventually. The name of the game for everyone in this film is self-preservation, no matter what the cost. It’s an elaborate and sometimes overwhelming plot, but Scorsese and screenwriter William Monahan (Kingdom of Heaven) devote a lot of time and effort keeping everything clear and sensible. They also keep things bloody, tense, and moving at lightning speed. Some of you may know that The Departed’s screenplay is based (rather faithfully, at times) on the Hong Kong epic Infernal Affairs, which spawned two sequels and a sizeable following on this side of the Pacific. And the material is so strong and so clearly inspired by American crime dramas, that it was only natural someone to remake it. But for Scorsese to be so successful with such a winding and crazed plot…well, I don’t know why I’m so surprised he pulled it off. The crimes that Costello and his crew are pulling off (involving everything from drug deal to selling hi-tech equipment to the Chinese government) hardly matter to the success of the film. DiCaprio and Damon are tougher and more intense than I’ve ever seen them before, and while Costigan acts on instinct and emotion, Sullivan is more calculating and clever. He sees every angle and every possible way he could get caught before he makes a move. Damon allows us to see the wheels turning in Sullivan’s eyes, and it makes us fear him more because he’s so cunning. Rounding out the stellar cast are the likes of Kevin Corrigan, Alec Baldwin, Anthony Anderson, Ray Winstone, and Vera Farmiga (Running Scared) as a psychiatrist who gets involved, unknowingly, with both men (perhaps the film’s hardest-to-believe plot point). Some of these great actors are in fairly small roles, but nobody gets left behind, and everyone just chews up scenery like it’s made of candy. As the two leads get deeper into their roles and their secrets are on the brink of getting blown, they get more and more desperate, careless, and paranoid. Everything is so good about this film that it would be a shame to single out a particular performance come awards season (although Nicholson would be the obvious front-runner). This has to be the film that earns Scorsese his Oscar. This is arguably his finest work since Goodfellas, and I can’t imagine any other movie in the roster of 2006 releases bouncing me off the walls like The Departed. Time to revise those Best Of lists again; I’m sure it won’t be the last time in the next three months. Capone

Lena Thanks for more great reviews.... certainly like the "DiCaprio related praise' we've got going there ! :wink:

Ditto to you Peanut. and I liked one of the feedback comments at AICN: Saw it last night in LA by Sidius Oct 4th, 2006 01:24:33 PM This movie rocks all kinds of balls and confirmed 3 things to me: 1. Leo is (and despite all the Titanic haters has been for some time) the best young actor working. His turn in this film will catch a lot of people off guard. I overheard one viewer after the film last night saying that Leo really showed him something in this movie. I couldn't put it any better. 2. Matt Damon isn't that far behind. Matt has really impressed me ever since his turn(s) as Jason Bourne. To paraphrase the 40YOV: Who knew Matt could rock the shit so hard. 3. Alec Baldwin is the most underappreciated actor of his generation. He is an absolute genius in this film and has several lines that will become instant quotable classics. His delivery in almost every scene is spot on. In one scene near the end he literally steals the show with dialogue that would normally be discarded by a lesser director. **Can it be this is the film that finally shuts up those fanboyz? :lol:

Sean McBride: http://www.panews.com/entertainment/local_story_277135142.html?keyword=topstory and Curt Holman: http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A135714

IMDB reader review: The Departed is on its way to the Awards Season - BIG time!, 30 September 2006 Author: mike-2077 from United Kingdom Scorsese at his best. The 150 minutes seems like 90. Stella cast. Jack Nicholson - got to be an Oscar Nominated performance. Leonardo DiCaprio as you have never seen him before. Brilliantly written. Magnificently Directed. Fabulous Photography. And Matt Damon - no more Mr Nice Guy..... A must see movie - A+. Let no one tell you about the film, see it and enjoy it. The film is well paced - it does not have the usually present it most films of 150 minutes plus duration that sagging spot - no way could you cut a frame of this film. Well placed for the awards season and I think this is going to pull a bunch of them, and deservedly so. At last an intelligent movie to grace the cinema screens this year. ***says this poster is from UK - has it been shown there already??? and another IMDB : Superb acting on top of brilliant storytelling, 2 October 2006 Author: General_Turgidson from Las Vegas Now I know that 'The Departed' is based off of the Hong Kong movie 'WuJianDao', but Scorsese really grabs hold of a great story and brings it to the American Screen. My father grew up in Boston and when we walked out of the theater he couldn't stop talking about how authentic the environment and attitude was. Then there's the acting in which the lead actors (Nicholson, DiCaprio, Damon) not only give stunningly entertaining performances, but you become engulfed in each one's perspective and dilemmas. The smaller roles that of (Baldwin, Walberg, Sheen) are supporting roles that remind me of Jesus Quintana from 'The Big Lebowski', by this I mean that their screen time is limited but they make lasting impressions that you cherish each and every scene they are in, Alec Baldwin especially. The story itself starts off with the basic intro of the players and the setting, but you'll find yourself slowing following each and every plot twist and rooting back and forth for the good guys and for the bad guys. If you're a Scorsese fan, which I am, I think you will appreciate this film. You can clearly see the Scorsese touch ranging from the cinematography and of course the music, it's great to hear "Gimme Shelter" again, but "Comfortably Numb" played in so well. It's another gangster flick from Scorsese, yet this one stands alone because feels so fresh and most would agree Scorsese does gangster films the best; so why not let him. Oscar worthy, the acting I certainly hope; this is DiCaprio's best role since 'The Aviator' which was his best role since 'Gangs of New York', am I seeing a pattern here. But my lasting impression wasn't concerned with the politics of the golden statue; my lasting impression was that I had sat through 2 and half hours of brilliant and especially entertaining storytelling. Thank you Mr. Scorsese. and another: Fantastic Bro, 29 September 2006 Author: SoncoChairman from Los Angeles (West Coast HQ) Excellent. A great, great movie. I saw it last night at a special screening and must say it was a tour de force. Even though Boston is not really a gritty town Scorsese was able to capture a darker side of the city. Coming from that area, I am always concerned when actors put on the local accent as it tends to be distracting rather than supportive. However, with local pros like Damon and Wahlberg they were able to really grab hold of it and not go overboard... most of the time. The true stand out performance has to go to DiCaprio. He has really come into his since hooking up with Scorsese, having scored a number of original performances all of which have expanded his range. He really snagged onto a deep and tragic character and created something that will hopefully be recognized come awards season. One of my favorite aspects was the friendly hostility the characters had for each other. It is a specific trademark that I have never noticed in any other city. In Boston, when you are really close with someone (or not really) it is, more or less, a requirement to bust their balls and shoot cruel insults back and forth in rhythmic banter. That detail was extensively realized in THE DEPARTED and I doubt anybody who was raised outside of the metro Boston area, or at least visited at some point, would find it nearly as hilarious as those who were. As for Scorsese's direction, I think he scored big with this one. While many have criticized that his movies have become more commercial I believe that he has just evolved. There were some classic Scorsese moments here, my favorite being a scene where DiCaprio is alone and packing his things in his apartment. Beautifully cut and stylistically directed. Is it his best effort? No. But it still is truly mesmerizing. He has created something truly special from a city that is highly underrated. **I've never seen so much love for Leo on the IMDB boards before, :lol:

LA Weekly http://www.laweekly.com/film+tv/film/-cops-and-robbers/14705/

the Entertainement weekly review Rating : A- http://www.ew.com/ew/article/review/movie/0,6115,1542479_1_0_,00.html and a new one from Manchester evening news Rating : 4/5 here

New York Magazine and Time Out New York reviews
Not sure if I like the tone of New York Mag's David Edelstein: http://nymag.com/movies/reviews/21979/index.html Time Out New York's Joshua Rothkopf gives 5 stars out of 6: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/Details.do?page=1&xyurl=xyl://TONYWebArticles1/575/film/the_departed.xml

Lena and Yapi Gosh you have found even more great reviews !!!! Thanks to "BOTH" of YOU ! :) :) :) Lena Gosh...reading all these glowing comments about DiCaprio's performance from the fanboyz of AICN/IMDB ....I had better go check that hell hasn't frozen over :wink:

I especially like this reviewer's comments because she says TD honors the original - really good compliment! Ft Worth Weekly http://www.fwweekly.com/content.asp?article=4268 u4ik - thanks for the NY TIME OUT review - it takes out the sting of the Village voice review in a big way. I might add Holberman's one negative review at RT stands out like a virgin at the Playboy Mansion :P

OOPS, posted this in the wrong place..... Tom "Goldderby" O'Neill weighs in: Finally saw it yesterday. It's good, but it's kind of obvious plotting and heavy-mugging acting. It's not brilliant. People are getting carried away with the hormonal macho rush and the A-Listers up there. The movie is really just 2 and a half hours of 'I'll get you, you ****!' 'Oh, yeah, I'll kick your ass, pansy-ass!' BOOM BOOM BANG BANG 'Are you the rat within our ranks?' POW PUNCH -- BANG -- over and over and over. It's nice entertainment, but quickly forgettable. Everybody's overselling this, getting caught up in the hype. Don't fall for it. Expect a good solid entertainment, you won't be disappointed and you'll enjoy it. Falling into the Jeffrey Wells mold, more or less.

u4ik Thanks for more reviews ! Like NY Time Out :) Joseph As to O'Neil...amazing how because he wasn't wild about it ..that means that ALL who spoke before him about how much they liked it were all wrong...