Scorsese: back in the Oscar derby

For the past few months, press reps for "The Departed" have leaned heavily on Oscarologists not to hype Martin Scorsese's next pic as a derby contender. It's an outright commercial film, they've insisted, not traditional academy fare since it's about a Boston cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) who secretly infiltrates the mob and a mobster (Matt Damon) who goes undercover among coppers. The reps have begged us to keep this film off our contender lists entirely.

For the most part, out of courtesy, we've complied, but we know we're being conned. As one top Oscar guru whined to me recently, "How long will this stupid little game go on?"

Obviously, the reps are desperate to rein in expectations that always build hugely whenever the Filmmaker Most Overdue for an Oscar has a big new pic coming out. "Gangs of New York" looked like a sure bet at first, then got pummeled by gangs of film critics and shunned by academy members squeamish about violence. In January, 2005, it looked like nothing could stop "The Aviator" from going the distance after it soared off with the best pic trophy at the Golden Globes, but then it got knocked out of the sky by a sucker punch from "Million Dollar Baby."

This time Scorsese's advisors decided to release his latest in Oscar-friendly December, making it a can't-miss contender without all the sky-high hype. Oscar voters will automatically see it — in fact, can't miss it — and, if kudos buzz builds on its own accord, fine. If it doesn't, Scorsese will be spared humiliation again. That's been the party-line plan.

Smart strategy, but none of us have been fooled. Now the first review is out and, of course, it's a rave, guaranteeing that Scorsese is back in the running, even if cop movies like "The French Connection" rarely prevail. Being so exceptional in general, Scorsese is always an exception.

Miami Herald movie critic Rene Rodriguez saw it this week at a small private screening held during the Toronto film festival for just a few journos. He hailed it as "Scorsese's best and most invigorating work since the underrated 'Casino,' if not 'GoodFellas,' as well as his most sheerly entertaining."

Apparently, Scorsese's reps have changed their minds about keeping "The Departed" under Oscars wraps or else they would've imposed an embargo against Rodriguez writing about what he saw. Read Rodriguez's dish — CLICK HERE!

Photo: Looks like Jack Nicholson will nab his 13th career nomination for portraying a vicious mob boss in Scorsese's "The Departed."
(Warner Bros.)