The Departed

Alex · 10-07-2006, 07:21 PM

Lani and I just got back from seeing The Departed.

I feel pretty bad for Martin Scorcese. For a decade he makes classic after classic and gets no love. He has one last gasp in 1990 with Goodfellas and gets no love. Then he spends the last 15 years chasing that love and making mediocre movies pretty much every time.

Finally he just sat back and focused on simply making an entertaining movie. And in the process made something that is up there with the best that he has done.

An amazing cast where even the borderline annoying actors (*cough* DiCaprio *cough*) excel. Taught writing. Tension throughout so that you never notice that it is 2 1/2 hours long. A satisfying conclusion.

If you're a fan of movies, go see it. If you're a Scorcese fan (and shame on you if you're not) you can go see it safe in the knowledge it isn't another Aviator, Kundun,or Bringing Out the Dead.

Stan4dSteph · 10-07-2006, 08:42 PM

I may go see this tomorrow if I have time; it's definitely on my list. Thanks for the review!

Alex · 10-07-2006, 08:46 PM

It should be noted that this is an American remake of a 2002 Hong Kong film called Infernal Affairs, which I haven't seen. But it is a good example of why remakes shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.

RStar · 10-08-2006, 12:08 AM

I almost saw that tonight. We chose The Black Dalia instead. Blech.

innerSpaceman · 10-08-2006, 07:14 AM

I've heard nothing but raves about this film, but - feh - no opportunity to see it this weekend.

Best thing Scorcese's done in years, blah, blah, back in Goodfellas form, blah. What does he see in Leonardo DiCaprio that merits another starring role after two blehs with him, and countless blehs without?

You forgot to mention Gangs of New York on your list of Scorcese bleh, Alex ... or did you happen to like that one? In any case, I'm just about ready to give up on Martin Scorcese, but I can't quite do it. I'll see The Departed as soon as I get a chance.

(hate the title, btw. Infernal Affairs has much more zing.)

Alex · 10-08-2006, 09:59 AM

No, I didn't forget it. I actually haven't seen The Gangs of New York and also didn't want to create a comprehensive "bleh" list (and Casino, The Age of Innocence, and Cape Fear all go in the good but not great category).

As far as the title, I agree it is a bit bland before seeing it, but it damn near perfect after seeing it.

Stan4dSteph · 10-08-2006, 02:17 PM

Holy crap. That was good, and disturbing.

Gemini Cricket · 10-10-2006, 04:36 PM

I saw it last night. It was great. Loved it.

2 minor Bostonian problems in this film:

1. Cell phones don't work on the T especially at Park Station. There's no service on any network until the Charles St. bridge.

2. No respectable Bostonian would wear a Harvard t-shirt in public or at home. It was an homage to Damon's stint at Harvard, but it still doesn't happen.

Loved the ending.

Leonardo DiCraprio still stinks in my opinion.

And we were totally rooked. We never got full shots of either Damon or Wahlberg without their shirts. Bummer.

Not Afraid · 10-10-2006, 10:13 PM

We almost saw it tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

Not Afraid · 10-15-2006, 12:26 PM

We actually saw a fil in a theater last ngiht and it was The Departed. First of all, it was a really good film with lots of twists and turns, never a dull moment. Jack Nocholson was wonderful - as usual. His character portrayals are always so out there and fun to watch but no annoying in a Jim Carrey sort of way. Mark Wahlberg was my favorite character in the film however. His "fu<k-talking" cop with great timing and lines was a delight to watch. I also really liked Alec Baldwin's character quite a bit as well and Leonardo wasn't too painful to watch. But, Matt Damon is the weak character in this film. If the handful of films I've seen Matt Damon in, he always seems to play the same character. He doesn't ever seem to grab me the way the rest of the characters did in this film.

The low point of the film for me was a violence. I still have a hard time seeing blood splattering everywhere. The revulsion I feel really takes me out of my involvement of the story. Certain scenes were just a bit too much to experience. The woman next to be actually let out an ear-splitting scream at one point. I'm not sure I'd want to see the film again because of this, but on many other levels, I really liked it.

BTW,

Spoiler:

Has anyone see the original film, Infernal Affairs (2002 Hong Kong film)?

10-07-2006, 07:21 PM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	The Departed Lani and I just got back from seeing The Departed. I feel pretty bad for Martin Scorcese. For a decade he makes classic after classic and gets no love. He has one last gasp in 1990 with Goodfellas and gets no love. Then he spends the last 15 years chasing that love and making mediocre movies pretty much every time. Finally he just sat back and focused on simply making an entertaining movie. And in the process made something that is up there with the best that he has done. An amazing cast where even the borderline annoying actors (cough DiCaprio cough) excel. Taught writing. Tension throughout so that you never notice that it is 2 1/2 hours long. A satisfying conclusion. If you're a fan of movies, go see it. If you're a Scorcese fan (and shame on you if you're not) you can go see it safe in the knowledge it isn't another Aviator, Kundun,or Bringing Out the Dead.
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10-07-2006, 08:42 PM	#2
Stan4dSteph Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,156	I may go see this tomorrow if I have time; it's definitely on my list. Thanks for the review!
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10-07-2006, 08:46 PM	#3
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	It should be noted that this is an American remake of a 2002 Hong Kong film called Infernal Affairs, which I haven't seen. But it is a good example of why remakes shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.
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10-08-2006, 12:08 AM	#4
RStar Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Me & Manyard hangin out! Posts: 5,433	I almost saw that tonight. We chose The Black Dalia instead. Blech. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! www.StarTownGifts.com
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10-08-2006, 07:14 AM	#5
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	I've heard nothing but raves about this film, but - feh - no opportunity to see it this weekend. Best thing Scorcese's done in years, blah, blah, back in Goodfellas form, blah. What does he see in Leonardo DiCaprio that merits another starring role after two blehs with him, and countless blehs without? You forgot to mention Gangs of New York on your list of Scorcese bleh, Alex ... or did you happen to like that one? In any case, I'm just about ready to give up on Martin Scorcese, but I can't quite do it. I'll see The Departed as soon as I get a chance. (hate the title, btw. Infernal Affairs has much more zing.)
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10-08-2006, 09:59 AM	#6
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	No, I didn't forget it. I actually haven't seen The Gangs of New York and also didn't want to create a comprehensive "bleh" list (and Casino, The Age of Innocence, and Cape Fear all go in the good but not great category). As far as the title, I agree it is a bit bland before seeing it, but it damn near perfect after seeing it.
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10-08-2006, 02:17 PM	#7
Stan4dSteph Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,156	Holy crap. That was good, and disturbing.
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10-10-2006, 04:36 PM	#8
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	I saw it last night. It was great. Loved it. 2 minor Bostonian problems in this film: 1. Cell phones don't work on the T especially at Park Station. There's no service on any network until the Charles St. bridge. 2. No respectable Bostonian would wear a Harvard t-shirt in public or at home. It was an homage to Damon's stint at Harvard, but it still doesn't happen. Loved the ending. Leonardo DiCraprio still stinks in my opinion. And we were totally rooked. We never got full shots of either Damon or Wahlberg without their shirts. Bummer.
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10-10-2006, 10:13 PM	#9
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	We almost saw it tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
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10-15-2006, 12:26 PM	#10
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	We actually saw a fil in a theater last ngiht and it was The Departed. First of all, it was a really good film with lots of twists and turns, never a dull moment. Jack Nocholson was wonderful - as usual. His character portrayals are always so out there and fun to watch but no annoying in a Jim Carrey sort of way. Mark Wahlberg was my favorite character in the film however. His "fu<k-talking" cop with great timing and lines was a delight to watch. I also really liked Alec Baldwin's character quite a bit as well and Leonardo wasn't too painful to watch. But, Matt Damon is the weak character in this film. If the handful of films I've seen Matt Damon in, he always seems to play the same character. He doesn't ever seem to grab me the way the rest of the characters did in this film. The low point of the film for me was a violence. I still have a hard time seeing blood splattering everywhere. The revulsion I feel really takes me out of my involvement of the story. Certain scenes were just a bit too much to experience. The woman next to be actually let out an ear-splitting scream at one point. I'm not sure I'd want to see the film again because of this, but on many other levels, I really liked it. BTW, Spoiler: what was in the envelope that Billy gave to Madolyn? Has anyone see the original film, Infernal Affairs (2002 Hong Kong film)?
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