The Departed: My Personal Favorite Movie

Rating: 10/10 (12 April 2012)

To all who have criticisms of this film, take about 50 steps back and understand a few things. First of all, I understand that this is a remake of a great Japanese movie, so obviously certain elements of the plot and the script will be replicated. Second, in Martin Scorsese's infinite genius, he altered other elements of the story to make it seem more original and more unique to his directorial style. Now, we may discuss the movie.
Let me open with this: I am a HUGE Martin Scorsese fan. I have seen most of his movies and I have loved almost every single one. He presents a life so different from the suburbia in which I live, so I am immediately attracted to these new lifestyles and the associated problems. However, most of his movies don't really have plots, per say. They have stories (the movie is about this), but they don't have plots (this happens, then that, then the other thing, then it ends). The Departed is truly Scorsese's first real movie with a plot. Even Scorsese himself called The Departed, "My first film with a plot." This plot is one of the most coherent, intelligent plots of any movie I have ever seen. In order to not spoil any events, I will end my discussion of plot right there.
Let's go to the script. Phenomenal in every sense of the word. Every syllable is meaningful in this story. Even the 250 or so f-bombs have their use. For the dramatic dialogue, it creates a more intense atmosphere. Doesn't someone cursing sound angrier than someone who isn't? However, in the scenes with a (relatively) lighter mood, the curses make the conversation more lively and, at some points, humorous. Here's an example:
Dignam: ...this s***hole's got more leaks than the Iraqi navy. Ellerby: Go f*** yourself. Dignam: I'm tired from f***in' your wife. Ellerby: How's your mother? Dignam: Good, she's tired from f***in' my father.
That is just one example of the many darkly humorous moments that make The Departed more than just a drama, but a blend of various genres.
Let's move on to individual characters. After reading some of the other reviews, there have been claims that Dignam is an unnecessary character. That statement is more untrue than any negative comment I have ever heard about this movie. Dignam fills so many roles in this film that if he were removed, the movie on a whole wouldn't even be half as good. First, he is comic relief, cursing out everything that moves. Wahlberg does an excellent job of filling this role. Second, he plays the foil to Sullivan. Sullivan is the supposed goody-two- shoes with a secret. Dignam is an a**hole, but he has no secrets and is devoutly loyal to the police force. Finally, he essentially creates the blend of good and evil within Sullivan. When we meet Sullivan, we immediately think "bad guy" because of his association with Costello. Then we meet Dignam, and he consistently picks on Sullivan. Now, we can relate to Sullivan, because we've all been in the position where we have been picked on by someone of a "higher rank." Therefore, we see Sullivan as part good, part evil.
The acting is superb. I don't think that there are many movies that top the acting in this film. I would especially like to recognize the performances of Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. What makes their acting in this movie so incredible is it isn't about what they say, but it's about what they don't. I read a review on this site saying the Matt Damon didn't emote. I would like to respond by saying that he did, but in such a subtle way that you really have to sit down and analyze the film over and over to see it. That's why his performance was so brilliant. However, it was very rare that this occurred. Why? I will answer this question with another question: If your character is a liar, how does a liar emote? How can someone who has been trained his whole life to keep everything inside emote? And as for DiCaprio, he gives, in my opinion, the best performance of his career (as far as I am aware). His character is so deep and complex that the web of lies created around him is impenetrable. It is almost impossible to tell what he is really thinking at any point in the movie. What does he really want? Who is Billy Costigan?
Finally, for those who complain that this film is very boring, I have some disturbing news for you: in order to be a film aficionado, you will have to watch movies MUCH more boring than this (Gone with the wind, Patton, etc). If you find this boring, have fun with everything else in film history.
Overall, The Departed, in my opinion, marks a grand achievement in the career of Martin Scorsese. He has taken his traditional interest and knowledge of the mafia and given it a plot unlike anything I have ever seen. He combines the common themes of his movie with a story from another country to make a truly unique film, no matter what anyone says. The acting is superb, the script is impeccable, and the characters are all very complex beings wrapped in webs of lies so tight that it is impossible to analyze anyone in this film. Go see The Departed (or re-watch it to look for the things I mentioned).