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Reviews of The Departed
The Departed review
Posted : 2 weeks, 2 days ago on 8 December 2009 07:46
(A review of The Departed )I was literally blown away by The Departed. Every single thing about this film was so tense. Despite how many times I've watched it, I still find it really suspensful. The Departed is an absolutely outstanding film that has a few unexpected twists that will leave you totally shocked. It does have a lot of crime within it but I find it to be more of a drama film because it goes get pretty personal whereas crime films are more violent and deadly than personal. The Departed is still violent and deadly. The Departed is a remake of a Hong Kong film called Infernal Affairs. I haven't seen Infernal Affairs yet but I have serious doubts that I will like it more than The Departed. One thing that this film definitely does have out of all of the films that I have watched is there is an awful lot of swearing in it. That didn't bother me at all because on occasions it actually made me laugh. This film totally deserved every single Oscar it won including Best Picture 2006, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing.
This film has an absolutely fantastic cast with a lot of well known actors that are very famous. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance as Billy Costigan is absolutely incredible which I find extremely underrated. Billy is a young man who has grown up in crime because pretty much all of his family were criminals. He doesn't want to be like his family so he decides he wants to be a cop. He has a few problems though because he has to get through Captain Queenan and Staff Sergeant Dignam first. They don't think he would be a very good cop because of his family being criminals. He goes undercover to bring down mob boss Frank Costello. Matt Damon was good as Colin Sullivan. He is a sergeant in the Massachussetts State Police but there is something about him which makes it a very suspensful ride. There is a lot of questions whether there are moles in each and what is going to happen. Jack Nicholson's performance as Frank Costello was really powerful because it was pretty terrifying and pretty funny as well. Costello is a typical Jack Nicholson because Costello is a real ladies man and Jack is such a charming actor for his age which makes him perfect for the character. Mark Wahlberg really cracked me up in this one because he cannot stop swearing. He acts like he suffers from tourettes syndrome but does it in a funny way which can be quite offensive. I think due to his black-comedy performance, he earned his Oscar nomination for that. Wahlberg was really awesome but Jack Nicholson should have been nominated instead for Best Supporting Actor. Ray Winstone was pretty awesome as well as Costello's right-hand-man Mr. French. I don't know why but Vera Farmiga sort of irritated me in this one. Martin Sheen and Alec Guinness were good in this film too.
Martin Scorsese directs his best film since Raging Bull in my opinion. It is quite a different film from Scorsese because he isn't really a director for thrillers; he's more of a crime director. I find The Departed and Cape Fear to be the Scorsese thrillers. Scorsese usually creates gangster/mafia films but this one was a bit like that still which makes them re-born in his filmography. There hasn't been a proper mafia film since Casino. He finally deserved his Best Director Oscar for this film. He should have previously won ones for Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and GoodFellas. The script is very well adapted because of it being a remake but it was written quite originally because of some of the black comedy within it.
The Departed is definitely the best film of 2006 and it totally deserves to be. It is Martin Scorsese's second best film after Raging Bull, it is my favourite Leonardo DiCaprio film, it is my favourite Matt Damon film and it is my third favourite Jack Nicholson film after One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and The Shining. The Departed is an absolutely amazing suspensful thrill ride that I have watched over and over again that I really love every time! Highly recommended to everyone!
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The Departed
Posted : 1 year ago on 20 December 2008 11:44
(A review of The Departed )Good film, good story line, good characters.
This film is well worth a watch. The story is simple but smart always keeping you involved, the actors put in good performances which means that you can empathise with the characters, and the end gives it just that little bit extra something to make it a great film.
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All set.
Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 3 October 2008 08:52
(A review of The Departed )''When you decide to be something, you can be it. That's what they don't tell you in the church. When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I'm saying to you is this: when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?''
Two men from opposite sides of the law are undercover within the Massachusetts State Police and the Irish mafia, but violence and bloodshed boil when discoveries are made, and the moles are dispatched to find out their enemy's identities.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Ofcr. William M. 'Billy' Costigan Jr.
Matt Damon: Det. SSgt. Colin Sullivan
Jack Nicholson: Francis 'Frank' Costello
Martin Scorsese a skilled director is an understatement. The Departed is Scorsese at long last back to what he does best. A mob gangster style film in the same vein as Goodfellas and Casino.There are problems with the film though. On the one hand its not very original being instantly recognizable of an unmistakable remake of Infernal Affairs. Martin Scorsese has fallen into the Hollywood trap of stealing from the East and glorifying it for himself.
On the other hand though he has with The Departed injected his own style, his own brand of uniqueness.
''No one gives it to you. You have to take it.''
The music and soundtrack to this film is brilliant, no denying it. Music can make or break a film. After all a crap song with a pivotal scene can destroy it's impact.Right from the beginning you instantly realize The Departed is a movie that will have some classy story telling. You realize Jack Nicholson, Leo and Matt's presence are sure fire bombs of greatness. Their acting is unsurpassed, unrivaled and mesmerizing to witness.
Scorsese even throws in the adult cinema scene a glance back to his days and the classic Taxi Driver. Jack Nicholson shines though as the mob boss who has humour even in serious moments.
Also of note the whole Irish Boston thing also reflects Martin Scorsese's heritage, his roots and that shines. Gangs Of New York emphasized this as does this.
When you have greats like Taxi Driver & Raging Bull its obvious the Oscars were having a sympathy vote for poor Scorsese who did deserve to reap the rewards for his efforts, but The Departed not his best work. On the whole it has some amazing dialogue, some detailed intriguing scenes and violence and a conclusion that had me open jawed in shock.An above par remake of Infernal Affairs glamorized by Hollywood class, by the Maestro Scorsese.
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Sizzling Scorsese crime drama.
Posted : 1 year, 7 months ago on 10 May 2008 02:29
(A review of The Departed )"When you decide to be something, you can be it. That's what they don't tell you in the church. When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I'm saying to you is this: when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?"
Most people were very sceptical about Scorsese approaching a remake of a highly successful original Asian movie. Personally I really liked the original Asian film Infernal Affairs and was hoping Scorsese could once again pull off his magic.
The Departed is an infinitely better movie than its Asian counter-part in my opinion. I found myself completely engaged in this movie from start to finish. The Departed has all the same key plot points as the Hong Kong picture that spawned it.
For this film Scorsese is not focusing on the usual Italian American gangsters; instead the film is set in Boston where the Irish gangsters dominate the mob and the police. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan; a man on the wrong side of the tracks who has mobster blood in him. Billy graduates from the Massachusetts State Police Academy with plans to bury his mob heritage. But those higher up in the police force have other plans. Because of Billy's background he's the perfect man to infiltrate the Irish mob. Billy is assigned to work undercover (extremely confidentially) and penetrate a group of Irish gangsters lead by infamous Irish mobster Frank Costello (Nicholson). Billy's mission: to acquire enough evidence to have Frank Costello arrested.
Unbeknownst to the police, Frank Costello's protégée Colin Sullivan (Damon) is another young cadet who graduates from the police academy with excellent results. Because Colin reaches a position of such power and importance he is the perfect man to be Frank's mole inside the police. New clues lead to some unfortunate discoveries and both sides soon realise that they're being scrutinised by the enemy. Of course both sides do not desire this close scrutiny; each respective side assigning their mole to discover the identity of the other mole.
One of the main elements of The Departed that made it far superior to Infernal Affairs is that Scorsese takes his time to develop the characters. Infernal Affairs moved so fast and contained cryptic dialogue, hence I had no idea what was actually going on. The characters in that film were also poorly distinguished. With this film, we take a deeply penetrating look at the life of each character. Scorsese is never in a rush to get anywhere. If anything this slow pace made the film a lot more fascinating.
The Departed is an incredible crime thriller that also contains some truly breathtaking performances. Leonardo DiCaprio was an actor I had little respect for. Prior to 2006 he was too much of a pretty boy who gets the girl. With this film and Blood Diamond in the same year, DiCaprio produces his best two performances to date. At the Golden Globes he was nominated twice for Best Actor; one for each respective film. What makes DiCaprio so excellent is his deep and confronting portrayal. Billy Costigan is a profoundly insightful, multi-faceted character. At first he displays professionalism. But when he is put undercover he has become the bad boy. I never expect him to pull off such a stunning portrayal after all his 'pretty boy' roles. Matt Damon is every bit as brilliant as DiCaprio. He shows a wide range of emotions and he never strikes a false note. Jack Nicholson is truly electrifying! He plays Costello with an intimidating screen presence. Like each amazing performance, there is believability and vulnerability expressed throughout the film.
The film's screenplay is fantastic. Heavy drama is balanced out with a high level of violence and bloodshed. When Scorsese wants a character's death to be violent he doesn't hesitate to add endless amounts of blood into a shot. After decades of moviemaking and decades of making the best quality crime films around, Martin Scorsese finally scored an Oscar at the Academy Awards for his extraordinary directing. The film clocks at approximately 140 minutes; however director Scorsese maintains focus and concentration for every frame that appears in the film. It's impossible to fault the filmmaking in any way.
I particularly liked how classy its style is. There's catchy music played frequently, compelling drama and violent action. You know this is definitely a film by Martin Scorsese.
The Departed could be Scorsese's best film. Personally I loved his movies like Taxi Driver, GoodFellas and Casino. Like the films he made beforehand, Scorsese does not disappoint. He continues to remind us why he is the guru of the crime thriller genre. The only drawback on The Departed would be its shocking and depressing conclusion. Although because of the film's nature and style it was almost to be expected.
Overall, this is a thriller you simply cannot afford to miss. Winner of several Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.
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Great
Posted : 2 years, 3 months ago on 15 September 2007 08:07
(A review of The Departed )A good movie, entertaining and lots of action, which is what I like in a movie.
A confusing and perplexing plot, as though it's not just what meets the eye.. but it still manages to keep the viewer enthralled and entertained throughout it's length.
The ending was a bit sudden, but going back on it now I think it's what the movie needed. Not satisfying but it seems as if most questions have been answered and the mystery has finally been resolved. An awesome and entertaining movie.-
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Bahston, it's killa
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 1 May 2007 10:11
(A review of The Departed )What a wicked good movie, guy.
There were a ton of familiar faces in this, and it actually wasn't distracting. Great plot line around Leo and the gang, and he does a heck of a job at playing both sides. Twists and turns and you don't quite know what's going to happen next, or who's going to come out on top...
We also paused it during the last 10 mins so we could go eat dinner, that was kinda rough.
Honestly, I liked Alec Baldwin in this, I just get a kick out of him.
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Seeriously good
Posted : 2 years, 8 months ago on 29 April 2007 07:55
(A review of The Departed )Holy cow there are a lot of good actors in this movie, all speaking with a thick Boston accent. That's why you should see it, seeriously. No, but seriously, a great movie. Definitely tense, and I think DiCaprio was great (and no, I didn't/don't have posters of him plastered all over my wall). His situation was tense and I felt like I needed to take a Xanax for him to keep his head from exploding from the stress of being an undercover cop in the mob while trying not to be uncovered by the mob guy who is undercover as a cop. You will enjoy this movie, trust me. Seeeriously. Nomahhhh. Wicked. Ok, I'll stop now.
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Infiltrados
Posted : 2 years, 10 months ago on 27 February 2007 08:28
(A review of The Departed )Un gran reparto y un gran director dificilmente puedan fallar, excelente policial, entretenido, dinámico, que hace crecer a cada minuto el interés del espectador y culmina con un final totalmente imprevisible que corona un gran trabajo de Scorsese.
Otro review en : http://maguila.com.ar/infiltrados/
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A solid Scorsese film
Posted : 2 years, 10 months ago on 19 February 2007 06:38
(A review of The Departed )My wife and I watched The Departed this weekend. I thought it was a great movie trying to stay with the game of cat and mouse. My wife on the other hand went back to removing wallpaper, literally. She is not a big fan of having to follow movies closely so it's not her piece of cake. I on the other hand love the movies that require some thought and I found this to be a good one. I heard some compare it with Goodfellas but it is not up to par with the classic. If you like Scorsese then you will be happy with the film.
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Good remake
Posted : 3 years ago on 4 December 2006 03:33
(A review of The Departed )Finally Hollywood does more than just sully the name of a decent Asian flick. Most remakes have been absolute trash but The Departed does a good job of standing up to Infernal Affairs.
The pacing was a little off in parts but the acting was for the most part top notch. I am not a huge fan of Nicholson but even he didn't piss me off as much as he usually does.
The movie falls short in that it made the audience laugh unintentionally in a few places - whether that is the fault of the movie or of general movie-goers is a totally other matter. There are a few beautiful scenes from the original that are missing/lacking in The Departed and I found they explained things too much. Too much talking and too much pushing each other around. Infernal Affairs excelled in what wasn't said - I missed that in The Departed. The ending in this is terrible by comparison to the original.
Overall though a solid movie and a "should watch". I'd give it a "must watch" but there is a better movie from Hong Kong with the same storyline that you should see instead.
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