TheDeparted (2006) Rated: R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material. Runtime: 149 mins. Director: Martin Scorsese Writer: William Monahan Cast:Jack Nicholson; Martin Scorsese; Leonardo DiCaprio; Alec Baldwin; Mark Wahlberg ... complete cast Tagline: Cops or Criminals, when you're facing a loaded gun what's the difference? Memorable Quote: "I mean honestly, do you want them to chop me up, and feed me to the poor, is that what you guys want?" Genre:Crime/Drama/Thriller Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Official Site:thedeparted.warnerbros.com/ Release Date: October 6, 2006
Reel commentary: ... The question of whether a definitive list of Scorsese pictures will include The Departed has been answered. It's brilliant!... full review
Eschewing his familiar Big Apple gangland stomping ground for the gritty Southside of Beantown, Martin Scorsese gives us The Departed, a violent but well-acted retelling of 2002's Hong Kong crime thriller, Infernal Affairs which was well received in Asia before reaching American shores in 2004. The Departed scribe William Monahan not only successfully recreates the complex duplicity of the two main cops featured in Infernal Affairs, but he cranks it up a notch by also incorporating a theme of what happens to people when they find themselves trying to become someone they're not.
Subtlety has never been one of Scorcese's strong suits, and this one's no different. But sometimes subtlety can be a bit overrated, especially in a gangster flick. The action is a volatile cocktail of testosterone, manliness, cussing, and dark humor, all topped off by one of Nicholson's hammiest in-your-face performances ever (his turn in Batman excluded) as South Boston mob boss Frank Costello. The story is not really the star of the show here, nor is the rather anemic atmosphere created by production designer Kristi Zea who earlier collaborated with Scorsese on Goodfellas. What really makes The Departed soar is what Scorsese gets from his stellar cast. One might automatically assume something great from such a star-studded spectacle, but as we learned from this Fall's All The King's Men, in the wrong hands, it can quickly turn to goo.
Matt Damon is Colin Sullivan, a sergeant in the Massachusetts State Police Force assigned to a Special Investigations Unit. But, despite what his superiors and fellow Academy classmates believe, Colin is feeding from the pockets of Costello. As Sullivan's complementary character is Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), a detective who goes deep undercover to infiltrate Costello's world of crime. Costigan and Sullivan don't realize it, but their lives are like two fully primed locomotives running on parallel tracks. But unfortunately for them, and deliciously satisfying for the audience, there's only room for one at the station.
DiCaprio is brilliant as Costigan and manages to hold his own opposite Nicholson's hammy flamboyance. We knew he could do complex characters as was evidenced by his Hughes in last year's Aviator, but there's a new kind of intricacy in his Costigan. He unleashes a wonderful multi-polar versatility we've never seen from him. He moves from wild-assed reckless bravado, to tender lover boy, to vulnerable victim while never becoming unbelievable in any.
Performances by Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg and a pudgy Alec Baldwin as Costigan's superiors in the Boston police department and Vera Farmiga as the love interest of both Costigan and Sullivan, round out what has to be one of the most productive supporting casts in a movie this year. Each follows a complex arc of growth while remaining nearly flawless in execution. We could very well see Oscar nominations from any of these come awards time.
In less adept hands, TheDeparted's stable of wily actors and complex 2 ½ hour serpentine script could feel exhausting. But we're talking about a master helmsman here in Scorsese. He not only knows where to put the camera for the best shot, but he's also a master at getting the most from his performers. The question of whether a definitive list of Scorsese pictures will include The Departed has been answered. It's brilliant!
I agree for the most. But I didn't like the ending. I think they took the easy way out. Also, I thought the closing scene with the rat on the railing was waaaay too cheesy.
Barbie Says:
October 9th, 2006 at 19:39
The language was filthy,tons of violence. I don't know why it is getting such great reviews!!! I see several movies a month, this one, with all the big name stars was a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!!.
Jenni-Boom Says:
October 11th, 2006 at 21:09
I think the movie was very well done with a superb cast! It was intense and I loved every minute of it!
The Soon Departed Says:
October 30th, 2006 at 18:44
I don't know what "Barbie" is talking about... I guess thats what the feeble minded think about the movie. I saw an epic film of all-star acting and great film writing and directing. Jack's best film so far! This was his role, and no one could have portrayed it better. As for Leo.. He always puts on a steller performance, and this was no slouch... he was terrific. All the Big name actors within the film shined at their absolute best! The is one of the best movies I have ever seen, and cannot wait for the next Scorsese film! A MUST SEE!!!
Donotgogentle Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 09:35
excellent film. it's definatley not scorseses best but its up there. Some decent twists take place but it does drag in some parts. as far as the cast Damon was good as well as nicholson, Alec Baldwins character wasn't believible and wahlbergs character is fun coming out of the gate but disappears quickly. Believe it or not I think DiCaprios performance was the best.
Nina Says:
November 3rd, 2006 at 04:17
Probably in comparison to some of the other slop that's been out this year, The Departed's pretty good. But I really don't think it deserves the description of "a must see." I'd say something more like "here's a movie that doesnt suck. why not?"
Anonymous Says:
February 26, 2007 at 10:47
Too bad americans are drawn to vomit like this. and we dare call the Arabs the evil empire???
k-boy Says:
July 19, 2007 at 23:44
ididnt get the ending at all......does it just leave you hanging or what.....maybe i missed something but idk can someone please explain it to me...thanks
TheDeparted (2006)
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