Top of the world, Ma! That's how Martin Scorsese must have felt after his scorching gangster drama not only won him a long elusive best director Oscar but also was voted best picture.
A remake of Infernal Affairs used with a loose dramatisation of a notorious Irish Mob boss' reign in Boston, it doesn't surpass Scorsese's masterpiece, Goodfellas, but is mean streets ahead of just about everything he's made since.
This two-disc edition isn't as special as the movie deserves but is notable for nearly 20 minutes of deleted footage and two worthwhile documentaries. Scorsese introduces nine scenes that he says "melted away" during editing; Crossing Criminal Cultures explores his influences, from growing up in Little Italy to classic gangster movies (including the original Scarface, which is subtly referenced in The Departed); Stranger Than Fiction recounts the life and crimes of Whitey Bulger, the mobster with powerful political links who inspired Jack Nicholson's character.
Directed by Martin Scorsese. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg. Out now through Warner Brothers.
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