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The Offical "The Departed" Thread (Reviews/Anticipation/Reactions)!
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Dynamite Shikoku
Congratulations, you really deserve it!
This is the first movie I've really wanted to see in ages
The aforementioned uber-tight Berardinelli's review (gives 4 stars maybe 2-3 times a year):
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The Departed is a perfect example of why remakes shouldn't be dismissed out of hand. Director Martin Scorsese and screenwriter William Monahan have taken the B-grade Hong Kong crime flick Infernal Affairs and re-imagined it as an American epic tragedy. The original film was gritty and entertaining; the new version is a masterpiece - the best effort Scorsese has brought to the screen since Goodfellas (ending a decade-long drought of disappointments and near-misses). In making The Departed, Scorsese has retained the essential plot structure of Infernal Affairs but has transformed the movie into something truly his own. Characters are better defined and situations are given an opportunity to breathe. None of this is done at the cost of pacing; The Departed is as suspenseful as anything the director has previously achieved. This movie deserves mention alongside Scorsese's most celebrated movies: Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and The Age of Innocence.
Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) both start out life on the streets of Boston's Irish American community, which is presided over by gangster Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). From there, their paths diverge. After a rough youth, Costigan enrolls in the police academy with the goal of becoming a state trooper. Sullivan also becomes a cop, but for a different reason - he's Costello's right-hand man and will provide him with valuable inside information. Meanwhile, Captain Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Sgt. Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) have hand-picked Costigan for a crucial job: infiltrate Costello's inner circle. It's a role he accepts and succeeds at, although not without difficulty. Thus begins a high-stakes game, with Costigan sending back information to the cops about Costello's plans while Sullivan counters by leaking police intelligence to his boss. Both moles know there are leaks, but neither is aware of the truth about the other's position.
On-screen talent pools don't get much deeper than this one, with A-list actors like Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, and Alec Baldwin accepting supporting roles. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon prove two crucial things: they are not interchangeable and, when pushed by someone who can direct actors, they can give riveting performances. DiCaprio has displayed growth in each of his appearances for Scorsese, and this is by far the best work he has done in his career. Jack Nicholson is in top form, providing a diabolical villain who can deliver a monologue with unparalleled verve. His part is showy enough that it will be virtually impossible for him to be ignored at Oscar time. Up-and-coming actress Vera Farmiga and British tough guy Ray Winstone round out a cast that, if not perfect, is close to it.
The consistent levels of intrigue and tension are among The Departed's high points. Scorsese draws viewers in with a captivating monologue delivered by Nicholson at a time in the past (the date is not specified, but it is presumably the early 1980s), which includes the most memorable two lines in Monahan's screenplay: "I don't want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me." After this quick introduction, the scene shifts to the present. It takes a little while for the ins-and-outs of the setup to become clear, but once the sides are established and the cat-and-mouse games begin, the suspense begins to slowly simmer. Even knowing what was coming (from having seen Infernal Affairs), I remained on the edge of my seat. Unlike many remakes, this one feels fresh, not recycled.
The two characters to profit most from this re-envisioning are Costello, whose role has been expanded to provide Nicholson with more screen time. It's understandable - few actors can add more color to a bad guy than Nicholson, and he relishes every moment in front of the camera. Unlike in Batman, where he chewed the scenery, he avoids going over-the-top, and this makes Costello as frightening as he is magnetic. As Madeleine, a woman caught between Costigan and Sullivan, Vera Farmiga also benefits. Until now, the actress has largely flown under the radar (despite a significant role in the box office dud Running Scared), but this should be an opportunity for her to garner some notice. (Had Robert De Niro played Queenan, as was originally intended, no doubt the Captain's role would have been enlarged. However, when De Niro became unavailable due to scheduling conflicts, Martin Sheen was brought in.)
Thematically, The Departed fits well with the director's oeuvre. The movie concentrates on family and betrayal, and what constitute both. The lead characters are loners, but they are linked to the world of Boston gangsters by blood ties. Each also commits at least one betrayal, but the question becomes "Who are they betraying?" It's not as easy to answer as one might suspect. In the murky waters of double agents, moles, and rats, loyalty isn't a facile commodity to gauge. Every character ultimately earns his or her fate, except perhaps one.
Two technical hallmarks of Scorsese's films are in evidence. Michael Ballhaus' cinematography is intense and moody. Even though a significant portion of the movie was shot in New York City, the feel is "all Boston." Howard Shore provides the score, but the most notable aspect of the soundtrack is the near-perfect song selection. For the third time in his career, Scorsese uses the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" (see also Goodfellas and Casino). He also employs a cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" during a key sequence.
Since this is a gangster film, there's plenty of bloodletting and profanity, although one could argue that The Departed is tame compared to some of what Scorsese has given us in the past. Nevertheless, seeing the respected director back at the top of his game with a movie that could be both commercially and critically successful is a source of jubilation. The movies have been in the doldrums lately; The Departed is a much needed tonic. It's also one of 2006's best features.
http://www.reelviews.net/movies/d/departed.html
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Best film of the year? We'll find out this weekend! Im also predicting that Scorsese finally gets a directing statue this year, but we'll see.
=========================================================
The Departed is a perfect example of why remakes shouldn't be dismissed out of hand. Director Martin Scorsese and screenwriter William Monahan have taken the B-grade Hong Kong crime flick Infernal Affairs and re-imagined it as an American epic tragedy. The original film was gritty and entertaining; the new version is a masterpiece - the best effort Scorsese has brought to the screen since Goodfellas (ending a decade-long drought of disappointments and near-misses). In making The Departed, Scorsese has retained the essential plot structure of Infernal Affairs but has transformed the movie into something truly his own. Characters are better defined and situations are given an opportunity to breathe. None of this is done at the cost of pacing; The Departed is as suspenseful as anything the director has previously achieved. This movie deserves mention alongside Scorsese's most celebrated movies: Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and The Age of Innocence.
Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) both start out life on the streets of Boston's Irish American community, which is presided over by gangster Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). From there, their paths diverge. After a rough youth, Costigan enrolls in the police academy with the goal of becoming a state trooper. Sullivan also becomes a cop, but for a different reason - he's Costello's right-hand man and will provide him with valuable inside information. Meanwhile, Captain Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Sgt. Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) have hand-picked Costigan for a crucial job: infiltrate Costello's inner circle. It's a role he accepts and succeeds at, although not without difficulty. Thus begins a high-stakes game, with Costigan sending back information to the cops about Costello's plans while Sullivan counters by leaking police intelligence to his boss. Both moles know there are leaks, but neither is aware of the truth about the other's position.
On-screen talent pools don't get much deeper than this one, with A-list actors like Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, and Alec Baldwin accepting supporting roles. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon prove two crucial things: they are not interchangeable and, when pushed by someone who can direct actors, they can give riveting performances. DiCaprio has displayed growth in each of his appearances for Scorsese, and this is by far the best work he has done in his career. Jack Nicholson is in top form, providing a diabolical villain who can deliver a monologue with unparalleled verve. His part is showy enough that it will be virtually impossible for him to be ignored at Oscar time. Up-and-coming actress Vera Farmiga and British tough guy Ray Winstone round out a cast that, if not perfect, is close to it.
The consistent levels of intrigue and tension are among The Departed's high points. Scorsese draws viewers in with a captivating monologue delivered by Nicholson at a time in the past (the date is not specified, but it is presumably the early 1980s), which includes the most memorable two lines in Monahan's screenplay: "I don't want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me." After this quick introduction, the scene shifts to the present. It takes a little while for the ins-and-outs of the setup to become clear, but once the sides are established and the cat-and-mouse games begin, the suspense begins to slowly simmer. Even knowing what was coming (from having seen Infernal Affairs), I remained on the edge of my seat. Unlike many remakes, this one feels fresh, not recycled.
The two characters to profit most from this re-envisioning are Costello, whose role has been expanded to provide Nicholson with more screen time. It's understandable - few actors can add more color to a bad guy than Nicholson, and he relishes every moment in front of the camera. Unlike in Batman, where he chewed the scenery, he avoids going over-the-top, and this makes Costello as frightening as he is magnetic. As Madeleine, a woman caught between Costigan and Sullivan, Vera Farmiga also benefits. Until now, the actress has largely flown under the radar (despite a significant role in the box office dud Running Scared), but this should be an opportunity for her to garner some notice. (Had Robert De Niro played Queenan, as was originally intended, no doubt the Captain's role would have been enlarged. However, when De Niro became unavailable due to scheduling conflicts, Martin Sheen was brought in.)
Thematically, The Departed fits well with the director's oeuvre. The movie concentrates on family and betrayal, and what constitute both. The lead characters are loners, but they are linked to the world of Boston gangsters by blood ties. Each also commits at least one betrayal, but the question becomes "Who are they betraying?" It's not as easy to answer as one might suspect. In the murky waters of double agents, moles, and rats, loyalty isn't a facile commodity to gauge. Every character ultimately earns his or her fate, except perhaps one.
Two technical hallmarks of Scorsese's films are in evidence. Michael Ballhaus' cinematography is intense and moody. Even though a significant portion of the movie was shot in New York City, the feel is "all Boston." Howard Shore provides the score, but the most notable aspect of the soundtrack is the near-perfect song selection. For the third time in his career, Scorsese uses the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" (see also Goodfellas and Casino). He also employs a cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" during a key sequence.
Since this is a gangster film, there's plenty of bloodletting and profanity, although one could argue that The Departed is tame compared to some of what Scorsese has given us in the past. Nevertheless, seeing the respected director back at the top of his game with a movie that could be both commercially and critically successful is a source of jubilation. The movies have been in the doldrums lately; The Departed is a much needed tonic. It's also one of 2006's best features.
http://www.reelviews.net/movies/d/departed.html
=========================================================
Best film of the year? We'll find out this weekend! Im also predicting that Scorsese finally gets a directing statue this year, but we'll see.
I loved Infernal Affairs, especially how minimalistic it was in all aspects (dialogue, action, etc), the film was a really intense study of characters and the subtle gestures they displayed on screen, even the colors were very muted as indicated by another poster. The Departed, on the other hand, seem like a highly stylized Hollywood version where they added more sight and sound to attract the audiences (at least it seem like that in the trailer, lots of action and sex). I'm kind of relieved at the positive reviews so far, but I'm also feeling a kind of bias towards this remake.
My review's mixed. Jack Nicholson overacts his way through and is grating beyond belief. The ending is also a huge cop-out as compared to the HK version (ironic that the US ending is the same as the re-cut ending for China to make it for "morally acceptable" - for shame, for shame). Leo is good but Matt Damon's disappointing, especially when compared to Andy Lau. Overall better than the HK version in some ways, but also worse in many ways too. And WTF is it with the Chinese who speak duck Cantonese? Can't they actually find actors who can speak the supposed language of where they're coming from? I couldn't help but laugh hysterically all the way through that "tense" scene.
Critics obviously needs to re-watch Scorsese's earlier works again if they think this is on par with these classics. Sorry, but NO. Especially when it can't even best the HK version.
But admittedly I haven't watched a recent Hollywood film in years, and this just felt so noisy overblown, and overacted. So I think you guys will be much more lenient on it than I...
Critics obviously needs to re-watch Scorsese's earlier works again if they think this is on par with these classics. Sorry, but NO. Especially when it can't even best the HK version.
But admittedly I haven't watched a recent Hollywood film in years, and this just felt so noisy overblown, and overacted. So I think you guys will be much more lenient on it than I...
I feel just the opposite. Every movie out of Hong Kong, no matter how good they supposedly are, feels like a B-movie.Zalasta said:
Wasn't Infernal Affairs set in Shanghai? Or are you talking about people who come from Hong Kong (which is practically no one as it's a real smallass island with practically no indigenous population)?
I do get the b-movie vibe from most hong kong movies, but IA feels like a hollywood movie from start to finish. Maybe doesn't have the same polish/big budget but it definately has the quality storyline that surpasses 95% of hollywood movies.
still looking forward to The Departed. I just hope the US ending being like "re-cut ending for China" isn't what I think it is, since I never even heard of it until now.
still looking forward to The Departed. I just hope the US ending being like "re-cut ending for China" isn't what I think it is, since I never even heard of it until now.
Dynamite Shikoku
Congratulations, you really deserve it!
Stele said:
Yeah, thats because of the asian style of acting, where its not drama unless you are screaming
Yeah, I don't know where I got the idea it was set in Shanghai especially since the triad concept are really just a Guangdong and Fujian thing. But I watched the Mandarin dub because I prefer the Mandarin voice acting infinitely more than Cantonese. I can really hear the family resemblance between Cantonese and Vietnamese.Grimmy said:
HomerSimpson-Man
Member
Eric P said:
Yeah, Christopher Doyle does awesome work.
Gaming-Ryu
Member
Whoa!!! 50 reviews, only 2 rotten.
STILL 96% at http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/departed/
This film is going to rock! I can't wait to see this remake.
STILL 96% at http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/departed/
This film is going to rock! I can't wait to see this remake.
HomerSimpson-Man said:
True. The first movies that came to my mind when I thought of films from HK that are not like B-movies were Wong Kar Wai's films and they were probably Doyle's most celebrated work. I don't think Doyle did IA though, he only helped out a bit, but the post production work definitely placed it above most HK films. I would say that Johnnie To's films (although low budget) and others from the HK are technically on-par with any Hollywood production though.
It's a shame to read about The Departed's ending, but almost every review have noted that as the film's weak point. That was what made IA for me and I was sure that they could work it into a Christian context. Somehow, I have a feeling that I would be very nitpicky on the film's crafts and techicalities when I watch this, even if i try not to be. That's the problem with having a remake instead of an original production.
Please, I've seen enough to validate my claim. Chinese movies usually swing at two extremes: big-budgeted (in relation to its market) and horribly ostentatious or low-budget with acting so amateurish it would be embarassing to show it on TV anywhere. And the casting of other Asian actors in roles even though they don't even speak the language just for branding purposes that happens all the time is plain asinine.karasu said:
Bud said:
Yeah, the trailer left me a bit cold, but the reviews from people who have seen both versions convinced me I should see this today. In fact, I'm going in a few hours.
Apparently, my boy Wahlberg steals every scene he is in, with many reviewers surprised Scorsese got such great performances from the pretty boy Trio.
After looking at the reviews as closely as I could without spoiling myself--I'm sold. I don't care that critics are saying that it's Scorsese's best film since Goodfellas--critics say that for every newly-released Scorsese movie, and I prefer Casino, The Age of Innocence, and Kundun to Goodfellas (yes, that's what I said), so that doesn't mean much to me. I do care that critics are saying that this is a comeback after Gangs of New York and The Aviator, though, since I was left cold by both of those.
I'm expecting something on the order of The Color of Money--not the film of his career, but a well-done commercial movie that's better than it has a right to be.
I'm expecting something on the order of The Color of Money--not the film of his career, but a well-done commercial movie that's better than it has a right to be.
John Harker
Definitely doesn't make things up as he goes along.
I saw a private screening yesterday.
This movie is phenomenal... and I don't really like these types of films.
Edit:
Hell, I even liked Mark Wahlberg, and I normally can't stand him.
This movie was just about 6 guys playing "whose is longer" with guns.
Well, and some surprisingly witty dialog.
Here is some advice - bring your girlfriends.
By the end, she'll probably be so turned on (well, if she can stand violence) she'll wanna fck the crap out of whoever shes with.
This movie is phenomenal... and I don't really like these types of films.
Edit:
Hell, I even liked Mark Wahlberg, and I normally can't stand him.
This movie was just about 6 guys playing "whose is longer" with guns.
Well, and some surprisingly witty dialog.
Here is some advice - bring your girlfriends.
By the end, she'll probably be so turned on (well, if she can stand violence) she'll wanna fck the crap out of whoever shes with.
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
FoneBone said:
Were we the only detractors? *shrug*
I'm seeing it later tonight with some people -- for lack of anything better to do rather than genuine interest. I wish the Queen or Little Children had wider releases. :\
Smiles and Cries
Member
I may see this tonignt
Yeah, they did a great job. I'm surprised how faithful it was to the original, although Martin Sheen's character was scaled back in favor of Jack, and they merged the two females from Infernal Affairs into one woman (probably the only thing about The Departed I didn't like).
If you're a fan of the original, or an Infernal Affairs virgin, I think you'll like this one.
If you're a fan of the original, or an Infernal Affairs virgin, I think you'll like this one.
Pellham said:
MAJOR ENDING SPOILER:
Damon doesn't get away with it at the end. Mark Wahlberg's character kills him just after you think he's gotten away with it. I prefered the original ending myself, but when I described it to others who watched The Departed with me, they prefer this one. So...
Smiles and Cries
Member
Just got back... Awesome Awesome movie... JACK was off the chain... damn that guy scares me
Loved Leo and everyone else too wow
freaken awesome movie
Loved Leo and everyone else too wow
freaken awesome movie
Oldschoolgamer
The physical form of blasphemy
This was a cool ass movie! It was damned hilarious, and the ending was ****ing awesome!
Mark Wahlberg is a ****ing badass! Normally, he is alright. I kinda liked him in Four Brothers...but, in this, he kicked TONS of ass.
"well, my mother is tired from ****ing my father, so..."
We really thought that
Jack was ****ing insane in this film. When he
Almost everyone was a badass. The toughest line came from Mr. Frenchy.
I was done.
This movie managed to slide past (rather gracefully) Lucky Number Slevin as the coolest movie this year.
On a side note. WTF @ 300!!!!!!! My first time seeing the trailer!!! That movie is going to ****ING OWN!!!!
Mark Wahlberg is a ****ing badass! Normally, he is alright. I kinda liked him in Four Brothers...but, in this, he kicked TONS of ass.
"well, my mother is tired from ****ing my father, so..."
We really thought that
Dicaprio was going to escape,and then, BOOOM HEADSHOT! Followed by BOOM HEADSHOT! Then, BOOM HEADSHOT!
Jack was ****ing insane in this film. When he
whipped the plastic dick out, everyone was in tears.
Almost everyone was a badass. The toughest line came from Mr. Frenchy.
As soon as he pulled the gun out and said, "**** it"
This movie managed to slide past (rather gracefully) Lucky Number Slevin as the coolest movie this year.
On a side note. WTF @ 300!!!!!!! My first time seeing the trailer!!! That movie is going to ****ING OWN!!!!
typhonsentra
Banned
Goreomedy said:
I saw Departed without even knowing it's a remake. Even I could tell you the ending was a total cop-out.... so to speak.
Kabuki Waq
Member
The movie rocked, other than the ending (which wasnt that bad if you havent seen the original).
I thought this was one of the few cases where the remake was better than the original.
I thought this was one of the few cases where the remake was better than the original.
Goreomedy said:
Yeah, I wasn't too happy with the ending, I totally prefer the original, however it didn't kill the movie for me. It was still pretty solid.
I would have been pissed if Damon's character was uncovered in the end, but it would appear that Dignam just killed him for revenge, not because he had found out, so it was just karma.
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