December 2006
Time Out
THIS MONTH’S SELECTION OF REELS AND READS
The Departed
US-rated R; German release date:
December 7
In the underworld of South Boston, the line of distinction between courageous and corrupt is sometimes as gray as the soot-tinged snowbanks lining L Street. Irish mobster Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) has ruled over this gritty scene for years, aided by heir-apparent Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), who has infiltrated the Massachusetts State Police Force as a mole. Sullivan’s bosses are frustrated with their continuing inability to bring Costello down, and send Cadet Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) to work incognito as one of Costello’s underlings. This sets up a web of deception in which no one is safe. Eleven years after Casino, director Martin Scorsese returns to the modern setting that made him famous. Free from the weight of his recent historical contexts, the moral dilemmas, searing dialog and love scenes of this sizzling film all have a sharper impact. With superb performances (and passable Boston accents) by a seasoned cast, and technical adroitness that has industry insiders talking, this is sure to be an Oscar contender.
The Prestige
US-rated PG-13; German release date: January 11
Movie-goers who’ve long since unraveled Christopher Nolan’s Memento will welcome this new mental workout from the famed screenwriter and director. With the same slights of script featured in that breakout work, The Prestige follows the story of two magicians (Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale) in gloomy turn-of-the-century London. A tragic accident splits up the former friends and turns them into bitter rivals. The dark, enigmatic film tracks their obsessive hatred for each other as it grows over the years, thereby touching on the nature of friendship, sacrifice, career, mortality and illusion itself. Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie, Piper Perabo and Michael Caine provide a welcome supporting cast for the leads and their intensely focused performances. Entirely different from another recent film about British magicians—The Illusionist—this is a provocative and unnerving adult drama that will give audiences plenty to think about on cold winter nights. <<<
