It’s impossible to watch a film objectively after it wins the Best Picture Oscar, but this one feels like a particularly bad call. I mean, it’s no Crash or Beautiful Mind, but when compared to the major crime pictures of the last few years- Heat, say, or L.A. Confidential- The Departed just doesn’t stack up. Sure, it’s fun, but that’s about all. The characters are pretty thin, and Jack Nicholson’s performance is nothing we haven’t seen him do a lot better on numerous previous occasions. There’s nothing spectacular in the photography or the direction, even the soundtrack just feels like the same old Scorsese tricks- has he actually managed to use the entire Stones back catalogue in his movies now? I don’t know, perhaps I’m missing the point, but don’t you just want more from these people?
by Tom Huddleston | Source: DVD
30 Aug 2007 12:46 PM | Submit Comment
