This was definitely one of the best films I saw in 2006. Months and months of unbridled crap had me sorely yearning for a decent movie, and The Departed was my saviour. The movie follows two men (Damon and DiCaprio) from opposite sides of the law working undercover in the Massachusetts State Police and the Irish Mafia. The twists and turns of the storyline leave nothing to be desired as a complex game of cat and mouse plays out, racing towards a shocking ending that thankfully leaves you actually feeling shocked, rather than feeling like it was tacked on at the last minute.The acting of all parties is superb, especially that of Leonardo DiCaprio. He really makes you empathise with the character, without being girly and pathetic about it. Hes certainly come a long way from the fawning heartthrob days of Romeo & Juliet and Titanic. The love element of the story is also well-executed: very realistic and adds to the complex connection between the two main characters. I give The Departed top marks and thoroughly recommend it - you won't be disappointed by this mesmerising, stylistically directed film.'