The Departed, which I have seen, will be the year’s best American film as of it’s October 6th release date,” reader David Erlich has proclaimed. “It is, without a doubt, the most riveting work that any of the players — Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson — have been involved with in ages. That being said, the film has no chance of Oscar recognition for Best Picture, if only because of the last act.”