Directed by Tony Leondis

Starring: T.J Miller, James Corden, Anna Faris, Maya Rudolph

Martin Scorsese has always been a favourite filmmaker of mine. Taxi Driver has always been my favourite movie he's directed (a classic) but his more recent projects have all been exciting and different. Which brings me to The Departed. Based on the 2002 film Infernal Affairs, it follows Billy (Leonardo DiCaprio) an undercover cop who ends up working for Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) an infamous mob boss who has his own undercover mole working in the police department, Colin. (Matt Damon.) Trust becomes the major player as lies and deceit plague these three exciting and superbly written characters. 

It's a rather exciting story that has been recycled, but done expertly well. As you can tell from my short synopsis, theres a clever twist put on the whole 'undercover' cop type plot by turning it around and adding this other mole into the mix. It's written expertly well, and structured well aswell in a regular Scorsese two and a half hour runtime. The dialogue is captivating, interesting and sometimes downright hilarious. Scorsese has always been great with comedy and here is no exception, especially from Mark Wahlberg's egotistical Sean Dignam. 

With that, the vastly impressive cast do fantastic jobs all round, especially Nicholson whom some of you will know is one of my favourite actors of all time. I enjoy seeing more recent performances from him as he still acts as he always does and never fails to impress at an old age. He's scary at times, funny, and quite charming as Costello. Leo as always acts as best, playing here possibly the most vulnerable character I've seen him play, and that's a good thing. It's not often you'll see a role quite like this for him and it's well, well done. Matt Damon's sinister Colin is a highlight also, a role I've not seen much from Damon, and he's brilliant in the role. It's great seeing the story unfold with these three characters bouncing off one another and offering something very different and holding your attention ever so permanently throughout. 

Scorsese's themes are heavily influenced in the film and they're interesting to note as you watch. One of my favourite themes (yes, I have some) is identity and it's one that is well portrayed in the movie. The underlying theme there is the father-son relationship that effects Frank and Billy, and then Frank and Colin. There's some great underlying exposition that is played in a number of ways and some great easter eggs towards these themes if you pay close attention. It's one of Scorsese's most detailed works for sure.

There's nothing much else to say but to go see The Departed for yourself. It's a well made and told drama with plenty of laughs and some outstanding performances that will make you feel something for each of these characters, both good and bad for each. Scorsese has turned an already well done story into an adaptation that exceeds it's original. Excellent.

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As you can see, this review is not a review for The Emoji Movie. It is actually a review for Martin Scorsese's 2006 film The Departed. This review is a joke. Just like The Emoji Movie. 

1/10