Gritty. Real. Masterful. Violent. The Departed is a great classic to be, with a fine script, a skilled director and a dead on cast. Literally a trifecta for the audience, this film delivers what the ads and reviews promise–a great story.

The Departed burrows into the Boston underworld where criminals and cops intersect–and sometimes collaborate–and it does so convincingly. Matt Damon plays the understudy to crime boss Jack Nicholson, and as an adult becomes a state trooper who serves both the state and the mob with equal zeal. Leo DiCaprio is a fresh cadet from a connected family who accepts the challenge of a deep cover assignment with one purpose: infiltrate the lair of the very criminal Matt Damon protects.

Chock full of memorable lines and visual imagery, the story ramps up early and and flies through the gates fast. Each scene does what it needs to and plays well. And Jack Nicholson still has the chops, and alone justifies the ticket price.

What works about The Departed:

1) Direction. Can’t say this enough. A director can take a good story and make it great, which is what Scorsese has done here.

2) Script. Tight and well planned.

3) Actors. Expertly cast and all believable.

4) Soundtrack. Usually I don’t notice the soundtracks, but this one is unusual. The Rolling Stone’s Gimme Shelter appears twice, piecemeal style. That’s rare in movies today, where studios cram as many titles as possible to keep the royalty gravy flowing.

What needs improvement:

Not out on DVD yet.

Verdict: Theater full price and DVD purchase.