Obviously, we watch a lot of movies at home. But, occassionally (specifically, when someone takes the Jr. ReViewing Habits off our hands for a few hours), we go to the local multiplex. Most recently we saw American Hustle, which is a terrific film, with great performances across the board (especially by Amy Adams' sideboob).
American Hustle is an elaborately dizzy whack-a-mole story of identity and survival. Characters wear bad wigs, cheap make-up, and nail polish that smells of rot. No one is who they say they are and that's exactly what they are. The ABSCAM sting that carries the plot is just one of the many stories these people have and will tell in their life. If we had the DVD, we'd say KEEPER, easily.
American Hustle is an elaborately dizzy whack-a-mole story of identity and survival. Characters wear bad wigs, cheap make-up, and nail polish that smells of rot. No one is who they say they are and that's exactly what they are. The ABSCAM sting that carries the plot is just one of the many stories these people have and will tell in their life. If we had the DVD, we'd say KEEPER, easily.
It was on the tip of my tongue the whole time, but that movie about double-crosses and false identities reminded me of another film...one which we had in our DVD collection...
But watching The Departed in such close proximity to American Hustle, I was struck with the satisfaction that can be derived from films about false identities, sting operations, and confidence games, especially those which deliver a whammy of a double (or triple) cross at the end - whether the bait and switch is played for hilarious or devastating effect. There's something about puzzles, I guess.
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| DAMON: "Can we re-enact the Ghost pottery scene?" DiCAPRIO: "We've already begun." |
Under the masterful direction of Martin Scorcese, the tension derived from watching the pieces put together in The Departed is gripping. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon, going undercover as a crook and a cop, respectively, turn in the performances of their careers and Jack Nicholson goes delirously and unnervingly over-the-top like he hasn't since The Shining. A bonkers supporting cast of Alec Baldwin (in full Jack Donaghy on steroids and disappointment mode), Martin Sheen (street Jeb Bartlett), Vera Farmiga (killing in what could be a nothing role), and, yes, Mark Wahlberg at his Marky Mark Wahlbergiest:
While Wahlberg and Baldwin provide more than a little comic relief, The Departed is, at its core, a well-constructed, well-executed hardboiler. An incisive examination of what it means to be a rat and to run (or be caught in) the maze.
Perfect for being shut in the house during the POLAR VORTEX (RealFeel of -53!!!! right now).
FINAL VERDICT: KEEPER
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