Overrated.

Rating: 5/10 (2 June 2007)

This movie could have been so much better.
How to waste the talent of actors like DiCaprio and Damon? Load a movie with blood, vulgar language and ruin the two main characters.
This movie is based on Infernal Affairs, an excellent Asian movie with Andy Lau and Tony Cheung, two of the best Asian actors out there. The plot is essentially the same, aside from a couple details, but it's close enough.
The biggest difference is, the Asian version managed to be a lot better in many ways. They didn't feel the need to swear every five seconds, or use c*nt and f*ck every sentence. They didn't need so much violence or to feel forced to put sex in it. The result is a classy, thrilling suspense with actors who are incredibly better than in the American version. There is no morale in The Departed, while Infernal Affairs ends with a huge lesson and a character who actually regrets betraying. Unlike what most American can think, death is not only way to pay or crimes. Infernal Affairs clearly show that.
If you want a movie that is actually watchable with your family, with actors on par or better than those in The Departed and a story that is overall a LOT better, I recommend you watch Infernal Affairs first. The Departed is nothing but a cheap, bastardized version of Infernal Affairs and I still cant believe they gave an Academy Award to Scorcese for this sub-par movie. Nicholson's acting is top notch as expected and all the supporting actors are great. But Damon's character is hollow, and DiCaprio's character is lacking the strenght and mystery that made Tony Cheung's character so believable.
Another example of a bad remake of an excellent movie.