DePAHted!

The best working director, and many of the best actors, and none could do a convincing Boston accent.

DEPARTED is a very flawed film. Although the basic story line is intriguing (an undercover cop is sent as a mole in an organized crime ring, while at the same time a mobster makes his way into the police force), the script is weak, and when you have a running time of 2:40, you give the audience WAY too much time to figure out what's going to happen. The first act of the film is the weakest, and although it perks up toward the start of the third act, it falls apart by the end with predictable "twists."

The script may be weak, but the acting is all over the place. DiCaprio and Damon are pretty good, but the female lead clearly got her part based on her looks, and Nicholson has officially become a complete parody of himself, chewing the scenery (literally, in one scene with a fly). Even Marky Mark gave a one-dimensional performance (although I think here you can blame the author). The only standout performance was by Alec Baldwin, who may get a supporting actor nod.

Howard Shore is credited with score, but as far as I could tell, there wasn't any, with plenty of familiar songs that were also predictable and hit the nail on the head much too tightly.

But at least it was better than GANGS OF NEW YORK!!!