Don’t let being number two fool you. This film definitely deserved to win Best Picture, along with its other four Academy Awards, and not to mention that it is just an awesome freaking movie! Once the “intro” is over and the loud, Irish hard rock starts playing, I immediately think of The Boondock Saints, another one of my favorites. They both have action, drama, compelling plot and storylines, great acting performances and the perk of two very attractive male lead roles (Hey, you have to admit it helps and it’s good for business). I am ready and excited to see this movie unfold again and again, each time still on the edge of my seat with anticipation and suspense, waiting to see who gets closest to almost being “ratted” out.
The pressure of living a double life is what intrigues me most about this film. First, we have Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) who is practically raised by big time Irish mobster Frank Castello (Jack Nicholson). Sullivan could have turned out a nice kid- he had the drive and potential to be a great lawyer and to work his way up in the political system but sadly was steered in the wrong direction by fear and coercion. Sullivan graduates from the police academy and is quickly promoted as state police detective, illustrating his natural ability to be something great, something better. Ironically his first big assignment is to take down the only father figure he has in his life…Castello. Torn between his loyalty to Castello and his internal drive for greater (and legal) things in life, Sullivan dutifully works as a mole for Castello within the investigative police group.
Sullivan’s internal struggle is definitely one of compelling interest. Think about it…you have this intelligent young man who is obviously meant for great things, but his upbringing was anything but conventional. Mobsters raising children isn’t exactly TV Land material, but I’m not saying that Castello didn’t do a good job. I’m sure he passed on numerous life skills and hard knock knowledge which very much could have contributed to Sullivan’s personality as a tough, determined leader. But the hold that Castello has over Sullivan is the sad part. He actually wants to do something with his life, get out of the criminal activity that has surrounded him since he was a young boy, and even finds a great girl with whom he could share this newfound revelation. They fall in love, move in together and are well on their way to taking the next step in their relationship, if not for the secrets and serious anxiety surrounding Sullivan. Without being able to fully confide in her as a true partner should be able to do, there leaves a space of distance between them, one of which a woman needs to be filled.
This brings us to our next intriguing situation. Opposite the double life of Sullivan is Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), who also is a member of the state police department. Unlike Sullivan, Costigan had the opportunity to take the straight and narrow path despite a highly criminally linked family background, and decides to go undercover as a mole in Castello’s gang in order to take him down. Because of his family history and an interestingly odd paternal obsession, but not until after a bit of torture of course, Castello takes Costigan under his wing. Once Costigan has proven he is not a cop, he quickly rises as an important and trusted member of the gang. But with this high position comes great danger. Every day he risks his life inside this mob full of murder, drugs and deceit, trying to find a way to bring it down; but somehow every time he has Castello right where he wants him, Castello slips away.
Living with the constant fear that the next hand that get’s put into a ziplock bag may be his, Costigan wracks his brain trying to comprehend why he has yet to nail Castello. He wants so badly to escape this hell that is now his life and to just be normal again. Anxiety levels through the roof and semi-suicidal, Costigan checks into therapy with a state counselor. Maybe it was love at first sight or maybe it was the empty space that both were looking to fill, but the two hit it off and begin to build a relationship. Once the relationship starts to move from professional to personal, Ms. Counselor lets him in on a little secret-she has a boyfriend (who unbeknownst to Costigan is…that’s right, Sullivan). Funny how these two men who are blindly fighting each other for completely opposite moral reasons fall for the same girl. Classic triangle.
Now, these slips that really starting becoming a pain in the rear for Costigan are, unknown to him, courtesy of his opposite Sullivan. Every time Costigan has an arrest set up, Sullivan quickly informs Castello and he goes free once more. Not only does Sullivan have the girl of his 
dreams, but he’s also screwing up the chance of Costigan ever getting out of this life. That’s one hell of an invisible enemy. Involved in the investigation as a detective, Sullivan is aware that there are undercover cops inside Castello’s gang but is not privy to the identity of these moles. Sullivan doesn’t even know he’s ruining Costigan’s life! Finally, the cancelling out of each other’s hard work comes to a bloody end when Castello is shot and the two meet face to face. You can watch for yourself to see how it ends…I hate spoilers.
Both of these men go through a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety to stay alive and keep their cover. To live with the constant fear of slipping up and someone finding out which side you’re really on, and being faced with the consequences of being brutally murdered and thrown in prison (my choice personally), takes a strong-willed and determined person no matter which side it’s for. Both actors portray this struggle brilliantly, making you feel that same knot in your own stomach and that same fear rising in your own throat. In the end the real “rat” gets what’s coming to them and a certain symbolic vermin crawling along a balcony railing puts a perfect end to a phenomenal film.
