Martin Scorsese’s The Departed, based on Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, chronicles the double-crossing tale of an undercover cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) infiltrating the Boston mob while the mob’s own undercover mole (Matt Damon) infiltrates the state police. Tensions fly when each smells a rat and they race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save himself. At long last, this was the film that won Scorsese the coveted Oscar for Best Director, having previously been nominated 5 times in his 40-year career. The wait was worth it: The Departed is a gripping tale dripping with gritty authenticity that showcases not only Scorsese’s knack for morally subjective characters, but his ability to pull engrossing performances from his actors. Alongside DiCpario and Damon, the cast features Jack Nicholson as the frightening (and creepy) mob boss; Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin as DiCaprio’s conflicted supervisors; and Mark Wahlberg as a foul-mouthed Bostonian cop for which he received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. In addition to Best Director, the film won the Oscars for Best Picture, Film Editing, and Adapted Screenplay.