Unforeseen Tragedy

Rating: 8/10 (21 February 2007)

"The Departed" is captivating movie-making. "The Departed" is not the year's Best Picture; although it seems destined for the Oscar gold. Director Martin Scorcese generates powerful and compelling performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, and Jack Nicholson. Writer William Monahan's story is based on the screenplay for "Infernal Affairs" by Alan Mak and Felix Chong. "The Departed" starts off great and has a stunning Act 2. However, Act 3 is horrible in the sense that the movie suddenly turns stupid, and then desperately and unconvincingly ties up loose ends. I think Martin Scorcese wants to demonstrate that along with his preoccupation with the darker side of humanity, he also has a sense of cinematic justice. This is a feeble attempt at best.
The going in premise is an intriguing look into intertwined cultures from the perspective of cultural moles. Colin Sullivan is a smart sharp kid in Boston, virtually raised by Irish Mafia kingpin Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Colin (Matt Damon) becomes a Boston Police cadet and quickly rises through the ranks of the Boston Police Department. Sgt. Colin Sullivan remains beholding to Frank. Colin becomes a key player in a federal task force that infiltrates the Boston Irish Mafia. On the polar opposite, Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a bright police cadet with questionable family ties which does not bode well for his career as a police officer. We witness Billy burying his dead mother. Billy's late father was a man of honor, an Airport worker who refused to join Frank Costello. Billy strikes a deal with Boston Police Capt. Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Detective Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) to go rogue undercover and disavowing any ties to the Department. Billy's job is to get in with Frank. Along the way Colin romances police staff psychiatrist Madolyn (Vera Farmiga). Farmiga has the thankless job of essentially portraying a plot device, as charming as she is.
The performances in "The Departed" are amazing. For that acknowledge Scorcese. Leonardo DiCaprio has grown into a powerful leading actorhe commands the screen. He is edgy and dangerous. It is puzzling that Matt Damon did not receive more acclaim for his role as insider Colin. Damon balances a slick soullessness and believable consuming desperation. Jack Nicholson as Frank displays unrecognizable restraint in a compelling performance. Ultimately, the script fails the movie. During an early scene in the movie Billy (DiCaprio) quotes Nathaniel Hawthorne. Detective Dignam (Wahlberg) makes the snide remark that he was expecting him to quote Shakespeare. Ironically, "The Departed" is not great tragedy. It is not Shakespeare. Unfortunately, it seemly intended to be so. This in itself is tragic, given the promise of the story's premise and the superb cast. My friend Chuck said that "The Departed" would have been great if it ended before devolving into senseless violence. His comment is brilliant and insightful. There is neither great catharsis nor any grand noble act in the end to redeem "The Departed". What we are left with is a harried mess. And that is truly a tragedy.