The Departed

Year of Release: October 6 2006

Director(s): Martin Scorsese

Writer(s): William Monahan and Alan Mak

Cinematographer(s): Michael Ballhous

Producer(s): Brad Grey, Graham King, Brad Pitt

Distributor(s): Warner Bros.

Actor(s)/Actress(es): Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack

Nicholson, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin

Why I chose this: This is my all time favorite crime/ mystery/ thriller movie. Located in Boston, a young undercover cop, Billy Costigan (Leo DiCaprio) is assigned a new task: to infiltrate the mob. The mob is run by head gangster, Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), who was taken under Frank's wing at a very young age, is Franks number one man. Colin's task is to infiltrate the police and their SI Unit.  Billy quickly gains trust from Frank, and vice versa for Colin. But as both Billy and Colin get too caught up in their double lives, their duties leak, and both the mob and the police smell a "rat," they just don't know who. The film goes on to see who is brave enough to reveal their undercover positions. The Departed quickly became a box office hit, and racked in 4 Academy Awards including: Best Editor, Director, Picture of the Year, and Screenplay. Also winning one Golden Globe. This film covers lies, betrayal, and sacrifce, and keeps you at the edge of your seat with the sudden twist that you don't see coming.