The Departed (2006)
8.2 /10
15565 Reviews
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To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Billy
... Colin
... Costello
... Dignam
... Queenan
User reviews
I decided to celebrate the Summer Solstice by watching 'The Departed'. Don't ask me why. I had previously loved the Hong Kong-made 'Infernal Affairs' trilogy on which this is based. Usually I hate when international masterpieces get remade, but this was a sterling exception. This was controversial when it took in a cartload of Oscars, particularly finally a directorial nod for Scorsese, but don't be misled--it's easily one of his finest works.
This is my Golden Rule on both remakes in general, but especially American remakes of international (particularly foreign-language) great films. When in doubt, check the label:
1. Director? (check)
2. Cast? (check)
3. Script? (check)
'The proof is in the pudding!'
Director:
Writer:
William Monahan (Screenplay)
Felix Chong Man-Keung (Original Film Writer)
Alan Mak Siu-Fai (Original Film Writer)
Release Date:
2006-10-04
Run Time:
151 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
The Departed
I decided to celebrate the Summer Solstice by watching 'The Departed'. Don't ask me why. I had previously loved the Hong Kong-made 'Infernal Affairs' trilogy on which this is based. Usually I hate when international masterpieces get remade, but this was a sterling exception. This was controversial when it took in a cartload of Oscars, particularly finally a directorial nod for Scorsese, but don't be misled--it's easily one of his finest works.
This is my Golden Rule on both remakes in general, but especially American remakes of international (particularly foreign-language) great films. When in doubt, check the label:
1. Director? (check)
2. Cast? (check)
3. Script? (check)
'The proof is in the pudding!'
The only one that can do what I do is me. Lot of people had to die for me to be me. You wanna be me?
The Departed is directed by Martin Scorsese and written by William Monahan, Alan Mak and Felix Chong. It stars Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Anthony Anderson, Mark Rolston and Alec Baldwin. Music is by Howard Shore and cinematography by Michael Ballhaus.
An Irish gang in South Boston becomes aware there is a rat in their midst, whilst the police force has a mole to contend with - with each one trying to out each other before the other does...
Martin Scorsese remakes Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs (2002) for the English speaking world, and promptly bagged his first Best Director Oscar in the process. It's a thrilling picture packed with suspense and edginess, a psychological gangster picture driven by two men leading double lives that is leading them to the abyss. When the violence comes it erupts in thunderous strokes, all while the narrative pulses with paranoia. There are some irksome contrivances, but with a uniformly strong set of turns from the cast, great musical accompaniments, and a director returning to gangster form, The Departed is a sure fire winner. 8.5/10
I think this might be my favourite performance from Leonardo DiCaprio as he takes on the mantle of undercover cop "Billy". On a perilous arms-length basis from his boss (Martin Sheen) pretty much from the start of his career, he must undergo the violent perils of prison so he can convincingly infiltrate the gang of hoodlum "Costello" (Jack Nicholson) who runs the crime syndicate in the city of Boston somewhat enigmatically. Meantime, we also meet "Colin" (Matt Damon) who is in a mirror-image position with the State police. As the situation in the city becomes even more dangerous it becomes clear to both the cops and to "Costello" that there is a fly in their respective ointment, and those men's positions become even more hazardous. Now each must try to identify the other before the entire house of cards comes crashing down in a blaze of gunfire. If we add to the mix the fiery and determined detective "Dignam" (Mark Wahlberg) and a bit of love interest from "Madolyn" (Vera Farminga) and we get an engagingly complex thriller that unravels cleverly and slowly over 2½ hours generating a proper sense of menace. Nicholson is on superb form as the maniacal boss whom you just know probably isn't trustworthy - even for those his own side, and the focussed efforts from Leo and Damon deliver well to build the tension effectively. I liked the writing - and the paucity of it. There is comedy here, there is threat here but there is very little extraneous verbiage. The characters have a visceral quality to them that, as the story develops, really does immerse you in their tawdry and shady goings-on. I can't say that I loved the ending - somehow it seemed a little bit rushed, but there's certainly vindication there for someone... This is the kind of drama that thrives by knitting the myriad of threads together without having to faff about with timelines, loops, or repetition. It's a story that evolves in a plausibly hazardous yet characterful fashion and if you can catch it on a big screen, then it's highly recommended. Scorsese - indeed, just about everyone, at their best.
Cast & Crew of
The Departed
Cast
... Billy
... Colin
... Costello
... Dignam
... Queenan
... Mr. French
... Madolyn
... Brown
... Ellerby
... Cousin Sean
... Barrigan
... Fitzy
... Delahunt
... Lazio (FBI)
... Gwen
... Govenor
... Uncle Edward
... Realtor
... Billy's Aunt
... Mrs. Kennefick
... Triad Boss
... Pakistani Proprietor
... Providence Gangster #1
... Providence Gangster #2
... Kneecapped Bankrobber
... Detective #1 Tailing Queenan
... Translator
... Detective #1 - Colin's Unit
... Detective #2 - Colin's Unit
... Man Glassed in Bar
... Older Priest
... Younger Priest
... Police Camera Tech
... Police Cell Phone Tech
... Darlene the Secretary
... Man Killed by French
... Woman at Bar #1
... Woman at Bar #2
... News Anchor
... Billy's Mother
... Young Colin
... Carmen
... Woman at Opera
... Bookie Harassed by French
... Jimmy Bags
... Sister Mary Theresa
... Queenan's Secretary
... Other Prisoner
... Chinese Government Man
... Costello's Crew #1
... Costello's Crew #2
... Costello's Crew #3
... Luncheonette Proprietor
... Man in Costello's Bar
... Priest w/ Young Colin
... Priest at Billy's Funeral
... Jimmy Pappas
... Detective #2 Tailing Queenan
... Detective #3 Tailing Queenan
... Detective #4 Tailing Queenan
... Lynn Detective
... Drill Instructor #2 (voice)
... Gang Member with Mr. French
... Chinese Delivery Man
... Executed Woman
... French's Wife
... Woman Doctor
... Crack House Cop #1
... Crack House Cop #2
... Crack Addict
... Exam Instructor
... Bartender at Brasserie
... Bookie in Costello's Bar
... State Trooper #1
... State Trooper #2
... New Guy
... New Guy
... Executed Man
... Waiter in Alley
... Waiter in Alley
... Little Girl at Airport
... Young Man at Airport
... Woman with Dog
... Crack House Denizen
... Triad (uncredited)
... Reporter (uncredited)
... Irish Thug (uncredited)
... Gang Member (uncredited)
... Crime Scene Unit (uncredited)
... Cadet (uncredited)
... Woman Office Worker (uncredited)
... Academy Pistol Coach (uncredited)
... EMT (uncredited)
... Reporter (uncredited)
... Academy Firearms Instructor (uncredited)
... Rugby Fan (uncredited)
... Officer (uncredited)
... Southie Teen / Soccer Player (uncredited)
... Pedestrian (uncredited)
... Subway Passenger (uncredited)
... MA State Police Detective
... Adult Film Actress (uncredited)
Crew
... Costume Design
... Editor
... Producer
... Casting
... Producer
... Director
... Producer
... Director of Photography
... Screenplay
... Second Unit Director
... Set Decoration
... Visual Effects Producer
... Hairstylist
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Script Supervisor
... Unit Publicist
... Stunt Coordinator
... Makeup Artist
... Assistant Art Director
... Sound Effects Editor
... Transportation Coordinator
... Dialect Coach
... Hairstylist
... Makeup Artist
... Still Photographer
... Costume Supervisor
... Location Manager
... Camera Operator
... Music Editor
... Assistant Art Director
... Camera Operator
... Costume Supervisor
... Digital Intermediate
... Production Design
... Camera Operator
... Hairstylist
... Construction Coordinator
... Makeup Artist
... Art Department Coordinator
... Art Direction
... Hairstylist
... Makeup Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Special Effects Coordinator
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Music Editor
... Assistant Director
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Executive Producer
... Set Decoration
... Original Film Writer
... Other
... Original Film Writer
... Other
... Associate Producer
... Special Effects
... Executive Producer
... Actor's Assistant
... Executive Producer
... Special Effects
... Stunts
... Electrician
... Post Production Supervisor
... Assistant Art Director
... Scenic Artist
... Stunts
... Construction Coordinator
... Dialogue Editor
... Dialogue Editor
... Property Master
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunt Driver
... Stunts
... Stunts
... ADR Supervisor
... ADR Supervisor
... Original Music Composer
... Foley Editor
... Foley Artist
... Foley Editor
... Props
... Steadicam Operator
... Stunts
Videos & Photos of
The Departed
Videos (3)
Photos 56
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