The Departed (2006)
Dir. Martin Scorsese Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon & Jack Nicholson With Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin & Martin Sheen
By: Sarah Hatfield
"When I was your age they used to say you could become cops or criminals. What I'm saying to you is this...When you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?"
Jack Nicholson's sadistic Irish mob boss Frank Costello poses this question to young Colin Sullivan in the early moments of The Departed, Martin Scorsese's new film about the rivalry and war between the Massachusetts Police and Irish Mafia.
This question ends up having a profound effect on the decision Colin makes entering into adulthood which is to infiltrate the police department and swiftly rise among the ranks into an elite division of the Massachusetts State Police that targets organized crime. Played by a never better Matt Damon, Colin acts as Frank's mole on every point of the investigation.
Part of this investigation has an undercover unit, led by Inspector Queenan and Sergent Dignam (played by Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg, respectively). They ask Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio in yet another terrific performance) to penetrate Frank's gang and gather information on its criminal operations.
It's soon apparent to both the police and the mob that there are rats in their midst and the film becomes a race between Sullivan and Costigan to discover their identities. What happens along the pursuit is a lot of bloodshed, sacrifice, betrayal and moral deterioration that unfolds in a captivating and frenetic way. It's an amazing ride.
As with many films of this genre, The Departed portrays characters leading double lives. It's most obvious with Costigan and Sullivan, but we soon find out that most of the characters are not who they seem to be, and they become consumed by the lies they have to tell in order to conceal their hidden doppelganger.
Everything from the music to the editing, to the lighting and camera work supports this "double life" motif. Howard Shore's terrific score repeats a tango style melody to demonstrate the symbolic dance between the opposing sides of the law. In a pivotal chase scene between Costigan and Sullivan, Costigan is list with blue and Sullivan illuminates in red to demonstrate their opposite natures. In one sequence that crosscuts between Costigan's abusive job interview and Sullivan's rise in the department, the camera is very static one moment and then suddenly becomes very fluid in the next, a familiar Scorsese trademark. The film gives us many examples of opposing styles and loves to give us things in pairs. These constant illustrations of dichotomy only strengthen the story with a subtle undercurrent that's satisfying and not off-putting to the audience.
The performances are superb. Leonardo DiCaprio does an amazing job showing Costigan's struggle maintaining his undercover status. You constantly get the feeling that he's scared to death inside, but he achieves this without anything overt or over-the-top. Matt Damon gives what I believe to be a career topping performance. Like Costigan's fear, Sullivan's selfish ambition is apparent in Damon's portrayal with a lovely degree of subtlety. Jack Nicholson gives us yet another memorable character with Frank Costello, a deliciously bizarre and twisted criminal who has vulnerabilities of his own. Mark Wahlberg superbly handles the fast paced rhythmic dialogue, injecting a style that compares to Marlon Brando. And Alec Baldwin gives another scene stealing performance as Ellerby, the officer who oversees the unit Sullivan is a part of. Every line he delivers is priceless.
The screenplay, written by William Monahan is yet another winning element of the film. Despite the story in essence being a very violent crime thriller where all of the characters exhibit moral ambiguity, he manages to tell a very captivating tale with characters the audience cares about. The dialogue, mentioned earlier as fast paced and rhythmic, gives us lines that will enter the vernacular of movie quote aficionados everywhere.
I am embarrassed to say that I have never seen Raging Bull, and that Goodfellas didn't leave much of an impression on me. So, leaving those films out, this in my mind is Scorsese's most entertaining and crowd pleasing effort, and arguably his best film in the last ten years. As mentioned earlier, it's an intense dichotomous experience. It alienates with its hideous images of violence and off-putting language, yet engrosses with its compelling story, expert pacing, and elegant visuals. But the most rewarding journey you'll take is with Costigan and Sullivan, two kids following different moral compasses that seem to lose direction in the face of a loaded gun.
Smitty
I liked that this review was less violent than the actual movie.
Smitty
I really liked this review. It's different from any other film review I ever read (they all suck) it made me feel smarter and made me want to watch movies smarter. A refreshing change, look forward to more.
Jody
I'll be honest....i just skimed the review and it looks good. But the best thing about this page is that it was created purely with CSS!
Kathy
What an excellent commentary! I haven't seen the movie yet, but now I can't wait. Looking forward to your next review!
Joyce
I am with Smitty - It makes me want to watch all movies "smarter".
This was wonderfully written. Thoughtful and thorough. I would love to see more work in this vein. Thank you Seven Seventeen for hosting. Please keep me on your mailing list(s)
Kim
I didn't even realize the 'opposing natures through colors' during the chase scene. I would love to watch it again to see that!
Brian
This is great! You said doppelganger! Please review Norbit ASAP!
Uncle Gary
Great review. I enjoyed the film, proud that I could follow the plot. Your insights take me to whole new areas of film enjoyment.
How about a critique of Babel. . . ? Dene and I just finished watching it, and we thought it very dark and discomfortin
Knucklehead
You haven't seen Raging Bull!? Regadless, a good review. It seems Scorcese has found his next muse in Dicaprio, whose performance in Aviator, and this film has enabled him to shed any form of "Titanic" typecasting. The reviewer and any fans of Scorcese sh
Josh Knight
Hey, sorry if your comments got cut off - I messed up. Everything should be fixed now if you want to try again. And, thanks to everyone for writing in - Sarah has loved reading all the notes. Hopefully Babel will be next.
Cody
Yeah......Babel.......that would be a good movie to see on a big screen with a projector..........and theater chairs......and maybe a few beanbags.