Two recent graduates of Massachusetts State Police Academy follow opposite sides of the law: Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is assigned to work undercover with Irish mobster Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) to get evidence to arrest him. His true identity is only known by his superiors Sgt. Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) and Capt. Queenan (Martin Sheen). Costello protegee Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is promoted in the Massachusetts State Police and is the informer of Costello. Each police officer gives his best effort trying to disclose the identity of the other "rat".
Now where to start with The Departed...oh yeah, now I know. Did Scorsese deserve the Oscar for The Departed? Well, yes and no. Yes because The Departed is very good; no because Scorsese had done movies that were better (Raging Bull and Goodfellas come to mind). DiCaprio and Damon break free of the images they were branded with back in the 90s. Sheen and Nicholson give the movie an experienced feel to it. As for Wahlberg, he gives The Departed its badass attitude.
My Rating: ****1/2
This film has quickly risen up the ranks of my own personal favorites, and has likewise become an example I like to cite of "Hollywood's Ability to Make a Well-Executed Foreign Remake".
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right in citing that this really shouldn't be the film that Scorsese got his Oscars for, but given how badly Oscar dropped the ball on rewarding him for RAGING BULL and GOODFELLAS, they had to make ammends.
In the end, I'm actually happy they rewarded this film, and not some of his more deliberate attempts like GANGS OF NY or THE AVIATOR
I recommend you seeing Infernal Affairs, the original Hong-Kong film from which this is "inspired". Both great movies though!
ReplyDeleteAlthough Gangs of NY is slightly better in my book, but...then again, Daniel Day-Lewis can make anything great. (Except Nine) ssshhhhh....
ReplyDeleteThis has become one of my favourite Scorsese films. I think it's the most purely entertaining thing he's ever done. It was also the film that finally got me liking DiCaprio.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I agree with the first statement. Is Scorsese known for crime movies? Certainly Goodfellas would fall under that distinction, and perhaps Mean Streets. But is Gangs of New York really a crime movie? Or Raging Bull? Or The King of Comedy? After Hours? Bringing Out the Dead? I don't know if it's that easy to pin Scorsese down to such a specific genre. If he really is best known for that genre, it doesn't seem to be completely proper.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think Wahlberg, more than anyone else, broke free of his image. Before The Departed, a lot of people didn't take him very seriously, even after things like Four Brothers and Boogie Nights.
I love Scorcese's films, this one too, but my most favorite one is 'Gangs of New York'. I still think it was underrated.
ReplyDeleteIf everyone is listing their favorite Scorcese film I gotta go with After Hours on sheer entertainment alone! So fun!
ReplyDeleteI love The Departed, it's wonderful all around.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
yes he's done awesome movies but it was sooooo his time to get an oscar. hollywood hardly awards films like this, especially in the past where epics and melodramas ruled (and sill kinda do). either way, this movie was fantastic and deserved every kudos it received
ReplyDeleteI liked the Departed, but not as much as Taxi Driver and Goodfellas. Why has no one mentioned Jack Nicholson? That man is a diabolical genius! I love how he totally gets under your skin...I think he was my favourite character in the film, followed by Wahlberg. I quite liked Matt Damon too, his negative roles are so much fun...
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