The Departed - 7

Martin Scorsese, using the story of Hong Kong filmmakers Felix Chong and Siu Fai Mak, has made one of the best films of his career. This film follows in the tradition of his other great films: Taxi Driver, The Last Temptation of Christ, Goodfellas, and Bringing Out the Dead.
The story is what holds the film together, all the other elements are there, but it is the story that you walk away with. Two men graduate from the Boston State Police Academy, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) plays the part of upstanding cop in order to give information to the man who has brought him up- Mafia boss, Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). The other, Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), has no family left and is recruited to work undercover and infiltrate Costello's team (Martin Sheen and Mark Walberg are great as his contacts within the unit). They end up having to try to find the other, and it is a test of their character, as they have to use deception, while trying to understand how they can stay true to themselves. There is also the added love interest (Vera Farmiga - unfortunately Scorsese is not very good at portraying women characters, so it remains somewhat of a guy film) between the two men, which highlights the fact that pretty much everyone has to live somewhat of a double life, knowing when to lie and when to tell the truth. A great story about the human condition, and the internal struggle between good and evil. Early in the film, after the death of Billy's mother, a note on here casket reads "Heaven holds the faithful departed." There is a reason this film is just called, The Departed. Your next task, go see the original- Infernal Affairs.