Dear, But Not Departed
The Departed is Martin Scorsese’s 21st full-length film in a career as a director. A career that has seem him direct classics like Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Goodfellas, among others. In his career Scorsese has established himself by making at least one classic film in every decade since the 70’s. The Departed will probably stand as his gift to the aughts, though Gangs of New York isn’t bad either. |
| Martin Scorsese with stars Leonardo Dicaprio and Matt Damon in The Departed |
The Departed is based on the 2002 Chinese film Infernal Affairs, which follows a cop who covertly inserts himself into a gang and a member of the gang who covertly becomes a cop. The movie then follows their inevitable crossing off paths as they discover the existence of each other and subsequently attempt to eliminate each other. The movie moves at a pretty brisk pace, moving swiftly from each man and building a slow burn of suspense.
The Departed stars Leonardo Dicaprio, as the cop who is attempting to infiltrate the mob, and Matt Damon, as the crook trying to infiltrate the cops. Dicaprio and Damon are solid leads, but they get quie a few scenes stolen by the wealth of supporting talent; including Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, Jack Nicholson and Mark Whalberg. Baldwin and Whalberg, in particular, steal the show with their exchanges that are so foul-mouthed; a sailor would probably shy away from them.
Dicaprio spends most of the film using his (now) trademark stare and dialogue to establish the uncertainty of his character. These traits create an aura of distrust around him that set the tone for the rest of movie. Damon struggles a little bit to be more of bad guy, with how trusting he looks, but is ultimately a good enough performer to excel in his role.
The story itself is pretty well done. The story builds on itself as DiCaprio gets drawn farther and farther down in his web of conspiracy and becomes less sure of what he really feels about his work as a mole. His psychiatrist, played by Vera Farmiga, tries to help him, but only prolongs his pain as she ends up (SPOILERS) having relations with Damon and Dicaprio. The relationship between the two moles grows more and more estranged as the structure of the mob and police changes. The movie moves along, exploring how Damon and Dicaprio continue to maneuver around each other, desperately trying to locate the other. Eventually it builds to the point that the characters finally are forced to accept the changing culture around them, and try and survive it.
I'm not sure what the real effect of the two characters switching is supposed to be, but I assume it is another exploration of the nature of law and the thin line between police and thieves. This is not a particularly new idea, but The Departed still manages to pull off the material well. This may be due to the talent involved more than anything, but the movie definitely has your attention for its full run.
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| Dicaprio interacts with Martin Sheen in The Departed |
Dicaprio spends most of the film using his (now) trademark stare and dialogue to establish the uncertainty of his character. These traits create an aura of distrust around him that set the tone for the rest of movie. Damon struggles a little bit to be more of bad guy, with how trusting he looks, but is ultimately a good enough performer to excel in his role.
The story itself is pretty well done. The story builds on itself as DiCaprio gets drawn farther and farther down in his web of conspiracy and becomes less sure of what he really feels about his work as a mole. His psychiatrist, played by Vera Farmiga, tries to help him, but only prolongs his pain as she ends up (SPOILERS) having relations with Damon and Dicaprio. The relationship between the two moles grows more and more estranged as the structure of the mob and police changes. The movie moves along, exploring how Damon and Dicaprio continue to maneuver around each other, desperately trying to locate the other. Eventually it builds to the point that the characters finally are forced to accept the changing culture around them, and try and survive it.
I'm not sure what the real effect of the two characters switching is supposed to be, but I assume it is another exploration of the nature of law and the thin line between police and thieves. This is not a particularly new idea, but The Departed still manages to pull off the material well. This may be due to the talent involved more than anything, but the movie definitely has your attention for its full run.
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| Jack Nicholson in form in The Departed |
What really impresses me is the contrast Scorsese establishes in the beginning and the end of the film. In the beginning we see Jack Nicholson, showing off his acting ability, begin to recruit a young boy who will eventually grow up to become his mole in the police force and, apparently, Matt Damon. This is a typical convention of the gangster movie. At the end of the film (SPOILERS) we see an image of Nicholson lying dead in the street, having revealed he is really an inside man for the FBI. It seems as though Scorsese is making a comment on the evolution of the gangster genre, the formula is tired now, and not nearly as great as it once was.
All in all, The Departed is not Scorsese's best, but it definitely a fine entry in a legendary career. The scenes with Baldwin and Whalberg alone would make this film worth it, but the great performances and direction makes this one of the better movies of the early 2000's, and I certainly recommend watching it.
The Departed receives an 8.5/10
All in all, The Departed is not Scorsese's best, but it definitely a fine entry in a legendary career. The scenes with Baldwin and Whalberg alone would make this film worth it, but the great performances and direction makes this one of the better movies of the early 2000's, and I certainly recommend watching it.
The Departed receives an 8.5/10
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