The Departed is a 2006 American epic crime thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by William Monahan.
The film is both a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs" and loosely based on the real-life characters Colin Sullivan and Frank Costello. The main cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg, with supporting roles from Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin, Anthony Anderson, and James Badge Dale.
The story revolves around an undercover state cop, Sullivan (played by Matt Damon), who infiltrates the Irish mob in Boston and a mole in the police working for the same mob. The film explores the gritty authenticity of the criminal world and keeps the audience on edge throughout the entire runtime.
The Departed received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, winning four Oscars, including Best Screenplay – Adapted (William Monahan) and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Leonardo DiCaprio). The film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Plot
The story revolves around an undercover state cop, Sullivan (played by Matt Damon), who infiltrates the Irish mob in Boston and a mole in the police working for the same mob. The film explores the gritty authenticity of the criminal world and keeps the audience on edge throughout the entire runtime. In the end, Costigan is killed by a second dirty cop, and Sullivan kills that cop and walks away free.
Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Billy Costigan
- Matt Damon as Colin Sullivan
- Jack Nicholson as Frank Costello
- Mark Wahlberg as Staff Sgt. Sean Dignam
- Martin Sheen as Captain Oliver Charles Queenan
- Ray Winstone as Arnold "Frenchy" French
- Vera Farmiga as Dr. Madolyn Madden
- Alec Baldwin as Captain George Ellerby
- Anthony Anderson as Trooper Brown
- James Badge Dale as Trooper Barrigan
- David O'Hara as Patrick "Fitzy" Fitzgibbons
- Mark Rolston as Timothy Delahunt
- Robert Wahlberg as FBI Special Agent Frank Lazio
- Amenda Lynch as Carmen
- Kristen Dalton as Gwen
- Shay Duffin as Phil
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writer: William Monahan
Box Office Gross: $291,480,452
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & thriller
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 2006
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 24, 2008
Themes
The Departed explores themes of identity, loyalty, betrayal, and morality. The film delves into the complex relationships between the characters and their conflicting loyalties, as well as the blurred lines between good and evil in the criminal underworld.
Reception
The Departed received critical acclaim upon its release and has since been regarded as one of Martin Scorsese's best films. It won four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
Challenges faced
One of the biggest challenges during production was finding the right balance between the two main characters, Billy Costigan and Colin Sullivan. The filmmakers had to ensure that both characters were equally compelling and that the audience would be invested in their respective journeys.
Settings
The Departed is set in Boston, Massachusetts, and features several iconic locations, such as the Massachusetts State House, the Boston Police Department Headquarters, and the Boston Harbor.
Visual styles and techniques
The film features Scorsese's signature visual style, including fast-paced editing, intense close-ups, and dynamic camera movements. The use of music is also a prominent feature, with a soundtrack that includes classic rock songs and original compositions by Howard Shore.
Trivia and fun facts
- The Departed is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs."
- The film features several actors who are known for their roles in other Scorsese films, such as Robert Wahlberg (brother of Mark Wahlberg) and Martin Sheen.
- The rat that appears at the end of the film was not originally in the script but was added during post-production as a symbolic reference to the characters who were "rats" or informants.
- The film's title is a reference to a quote from Irish playwright Brendan Behan: "I have a total irreverence for anything connected with society except that which makes the roads safer, the beer stronger, the food cheaper, and the old men and old women warmer in the winter and happier in the summer."