(2006, 152 min) Snapping back to what is arguably his finest genre, crime melodrama, Martin Scorsese gives us a hard-hitting retool of the Asian film, Infernal Affairs. Standing in line to work for Scorsese were Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin and Ray Winstone.
Set in Boston, the Massachusetts State Police go undercover for the most part to crack the crime ring of Frank Costello (Nicholson). Costello deals in microchips and cocaine, etc. and Colin Sullivan (Damon) and Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) are newly minted graduates of the police academy eager to start their jobs. Nicholson is in fine form, injecting sly humor into his character; his acting is comforting in that we know we will get at least a good performance and familiar mannerisms. Mr. French (Winstone) plays Costello's right-hand man, his supporting role is rock-solid.
The meatiest roles go to Damon and DiCaprio who are both undercover in opposite corners. Sullivan projects an even temperament as a veneer, hiding a secret loyalty to Costello. DiCaprio as Costigan perhaps gives the best and weightiest performance of the film and his career. He seems more mature and truly adult as a conflicted cop, who at the heart, has morals and the sense of being one of a dying breed, a good guy.
William Monahan (Kingdom of Heaven) rewrites the Infernal Affairs screenplay with gritty action and street-tough dialog, fitting perfectly into Scorsese's sense of the dramatic that we haven’t seen since Goodfellas and Mean Streets. The story is everything here, and he doesn't miss a beat as the viewer is propelled to a bloody and shocking ending, similar to the killing spree depicted in Taxi Driver. Scorsese excels when he utilizes this device as conflict resolution.
Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin show up in small roles as top cops, but their appearance is also welcome as they round out a superb ensemble.
© TLA Entertainment Group
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