Asian Tale with American Life

Rating: 8/10 (14 October 2006)

The 2 men behind the Hong Kong box office drama Infernal Affairs, Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, will be pleased with Martin Scorsese for giving new life to the Asian trilogy.
The Departed is an adaptation of Infernal Affairs Trilogy, where Leonardo DiCaprio's Billy Costigan is the role of Tony Leung Chiu Wai's Chan Wing Yan, while Matt Damon's Colin Sullivan reprises the role of Andy Lau's Lau Kin Ming. Jack Nicholson's Frank Costello is an Italian mafia, which is an answer to Eric Tsang's Sam, a Hong Kong trial society's kingpin. Martin Sheen's Oliver Queenan is the equivalent to Anthony Wong's SP Wong in the American adaptation.
Scorsese has given a new life to Infernal Affairs trilogy, where he concluded the whole story in 152 minutes, rather than making it into a trilogy adaptation.
Firstly, it was a full American flavored, where the story was presented in American context, instead of sticking closely to the Hong Kong version. FBI, Italian mafia and grocery store is the answer to Hong Kong Police Force, trial society and illegal gambling dens. By using something that is closer to home, Scorsese tells a story from Asia with American background.
Secondly, bits of elements from Infernal Affairs 2 and 3 was seen in The Departed, such as Costello being a womanizer and the short conversation between Queenan and Costello with Dignam (Mark Walhberg). This may not seem sticking close to the trilogy, but it shortens the time taken to know the tale behind the trilogy.
DiCaprio, Damon and Nicholson may be the whole focus of the film, but it was Walberg's Dignam that leaves the audience with the deepest impression. A hot tempered and fouled mouth inspector, he was not seen in Infernal Affairs trilogy, which adds a new twist to The Departed. Vera Farmiga's Madolyn is the combination of Kelly Chen's Dr Lee Sum Yee, the psychiatrist Chan was seeing, and Mary, the lover of Lau.
Scorsese ends the film with an unexpected twist, which has proved a success to The Departed. If Infernal Affairs has impress you, The Departed brings Infernal Affairs to a greater height.