The Departed
THE DEPARTED: SCORSESE DOES IT AGAIN
Martin Scorsese is a mastermind when it comes to drama. From Taxi Driver to Gangs of New York, he has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with in the Hollywood industry. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been blessed with an Academy Award, despite all his nominations. Hopefully that will change at the upcoming Oscars. His new film, The Departed, is a gritty cop drama that is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film, Mou Gaan Dou (Infernal Affairs). Oscar nods should come for the cast, best picture, and best director.
The story focuses on two Bostonians who are striving to become a part of the State’s police. Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) are both from the hood and grew up witnessing crime. Colin was looked after by Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), the neighborhood baddie, after his father died. Billy is a part of a family that is known for its criminal acts. Both go through the police academy. Colin becomes a State detective. Billy is chosen to go undercover and attach himself to Frank Costello, due to his known affiliations and intelligence. What the State police don’t know is that Colin is a mole for Frank. When it becomes known that there is a mole in the State police and a rat in Frank’s crew, Billy and Colin go on the hunt for one another before one of them gets killed.
The whole spectrum of emotions is felt while watching this film. You are tense one minute and getting the chills the next. The plot is solid with enough back story for you to get to know these characters and understand where they are coming from. It shows that you may be a product of your environment, as in Colin’s case. Or you may want to better it, as in Billy’s. Acting is superb, which shouldn’t be a surprise with its ensemble bringing a whole lot of talent. There should be acting nods for DiCaprio as the torn Billy, Nicholson for his scumbag villain Frank, and Damon for his self serving Colin. The technical features only made a good film better. Camera shots gave a nostalgic edge, bringing you back to old 70’s cop dramas. The Patsy Cline songs that were played throughout the film would soothe you in one scene and leave you uneasy in the next. And the costume designer’s decision to dress Frank in the random leopard print clothing item was genius. It just enhanced his lecherous nature.
The film has a love story within in it that involves psychologist Madolyn. She becomes involved with Colin and runs into complications when she develops a relationship with Billy. I liked this aspect of the film but don’t feel the story would have been for the worse without it.
The Departed is just what the movie business has needed to show that it is capable of turning out quality films. Every piece was covered from a first-rate story, superior acting, to technical aspects only enhancing every step along the way. Let’s hope up and coming directors are taking notes.
Report Card:
Story-A
Acting-A+
Visuals-A
Originality/Innovation-A
Enjoyability Grade–A+
Overall Grade-A
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