This film, a remake of an Asian film called “Infernal Affairs,” tells the story of Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Damon), two young Boston cops in opposite positions- Costigan is an undercover operative assigned to penetrate the criminal organization of Frank Costello (Nicholson), while Sullivan is a hot-shot mob task force member who is secretly on the Costello payroll. The movie follows them as they insinuate themselves in their new positions, each unknown to the other.

As the story plays out, both sides become increasingly aware of the others’ infiltration. Costello in particular grows more and more paranoid- he has always suspected Costigan because of his history- Billy was once a police cadet before he was recruited by Massachusetts State Police captain Queenan (Sheen) and his second, Detective Dignam (Wahlberg). Meanwhile, Sullivan’s lifelong connection to Costello goes unnoticed by his own superior, captain Ellerby (Baldwin).

However, Costigan and Sullivan most pointedly feel the strain of their dual identities themselves. They are both trapped and isolated in their roles, and will go to any lengths to discover and expose the other. Yet they must keep themselves hidden, which is a unique problem for each man. For Sullivan the trick is to keep up the act by deceiving everyone he knows. The difficulty for Costigan is that he has nearly no connection to his real life- Queenan and Dignam are the only people who are aware of his true identity. While this is to his advantage, it also means that he is alone and has practically no one to turn to- his only other connection is with a psychiatrist (Vera Farmiga) who happens to be Sullivan’s girlfriend.

With each skirmish between the cops and the mob, the two men inch closer to discovering their respective secrets. A confrontation between the two is inevitable, however this is the kind of film that I wish would go on and on forever. The characters, and the actors portraying them, are so gripping that they almost demand to be watched. DiCaprio is in top form here- he brings intensity to Costigan that cannot be matched by anyone else in the film. Similarly, this is the most nuanced performance from Damon since “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” which was, coincidentally, another duplicitous character. Perhaps the biggest find of the film is Farmiga, who literally glows in her scenes with Damon and DiCaprio. And as for Nicholson, he makes a magnificent bastard- Costello is his “Witches of Eastwick” devil, mixed with a thick Boston brogue.

All can be credited to Scorsese, who has delivered yet another terrific crime drama. It may be a bit early in the season to be talking Oscar, but this is the kind of film that deserves to be recognized in February.

Until then, this is one film that will leave audiences satisfied- dearly “Departed” indeed.

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