2006 was just an okay year for movies...
-Litle Ms Sunshine.....Which does not hold up well was my number 2
-Casino Royal- Was my number 3 with a fantastic return of Bond
-Talladega Nights was maybe the funniest film of the year
Still my number one film of 2006 was....
THE DEPARTED
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Screenplay by William Monahan and
Based on the story by Alan Mac and Felix Chong
Starring Jack Nicholson; Leonardo DiCaprio; Matt Damon; Mark Wahlberg; Martin Sheen; Vera Farmiga; and Alec Baldwin
I am not a mob movie guy. I always get lost and confused. So this tells you a lot when a mob film not just won me over, but was my number one film of the year in 2006.
This film follows both sides of a story, as the authorities plant a mole within an Irish gang in South Boston.
Well directed by Scorsese who is telling a very difficult story. He is telling two sides and he has to keep it clean and understandable. Of course he had lots of help:
Matt Damon playing Colin Sullivan. Playing against type as the bad guy
Leonardo DiCaprio as Billy. You feel for him because he is soooo stuck in a no win situation. He is just great here and should have won an Oscar. He says so much with just a look or a stare.
Martin Sheen as Queenan who helps put the plan in play. He straddles a tough part as a chief and a father figure seamlessly.
Vera Farmigo as Madolyn....welcome to the world of stardom Vera...this was her breakthrough.
Mark Wahlberg as Digman. This film showed the world that Wahlberg was the real deal.
Jack Nicholsan as Frank. What a bad guy. He almost snarls in another great performances of his career. We love to hate him!!!!
How can it be bad with such a great cast? Well we have seen a great cast in a film blowup....so maybe the real star here was Scorsese. An Oscar win for keeping it all together.
Now fun and not so fun facts:
-The strap-on scene and the throwing cocaine on the hookers was all Jack Nicholson's suggestions.
-Nicholson originally turned down the role. It was originally suppose to be Pacino in that role.
-It was the first film based of a remake from Hong Kong, Internal Affairs to win a Best Picture Oscar. In fact Scorsese did not know when he signed up that it was a remake.
-Brad Pitt was cast as Billy but dropped out.
-Nicholson refused to wear a Red Sox Hat during filming. He wore his Yankees hat.
A well deserved Best Picture winner. Every part played to perfection. Plus, a wonderful intense screenplay. If you do not like mob films do not let that sway you away. It is just a story of deception.
4 1/2 stars out of 5 for The Departed
As always from the shadows as always thanks for your time.
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