I like the cheeky money that comes with writing reviews. I will try to return all r/r/c. Now also on...
I like the cheeky money that comes with writing reviews. I will try to return all r/r/c. Now also on Dooyoo. Re-writing my terrible older reviews, if you'd be kind enough to re-rate. Requiem For A Dream completed
Member since:10.01.2008
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Director Martin Scorsese returns to his favored style with violent, bloody, action-packed thriller 'The Departed'. Copying, then improving and revolutionizing, the basic plot from Wai Keung Lau and Siu Pai Mak's impressive 2002 Hong Kong action film, 'Internal Affairs', and produces another great film for the action film industry.
It tells the stories of William Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), an undercover cop inside the mobsters gang, and Collin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a secret mobster who has landed an important job in the police.
The film starts with a commentary from Irish-American mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) with the Stone's 'Gimme Shelter' playing in the background, the first in the line of lots of great songs in this soundtrack.
Made in 2006, this film corresponds with the happening of the Iraq war, and many believe Scorsese uses his plot as a metaphor for the complex workings of the UN, Iraqi assembly and US Congress.
Costigan is trying to get enough evidence to prosecute gang lord Costello, and is having to gain his trust to try and get into a position to gain substantial proof. He gets his name known by the boss, and soon finds himself a member of the gang.
Meanwhile Sullivan is working the other way round. Costello knows that someone in his gang is a mole for the police, and decides to put someone in the force for his side. It is Sullivan's job to, whilst pretending to try and catch Costello, persuade the only two people who know of Costigan's undercover work to reveal who he is.
It is a clever and complex plot that may take some work in getting your head around, but if you can figure it out it's well worth it.
The directing from Scorsese is super, another one of his modern greats. Returning to his violent, packing-a-punch, style of film, he duly delivers some great action scenes. One to look out for is one of the final scenes, with the Dropkick Murphy's 'I'm Shipping Up To Boston' playing in the background - a perfect song for the occasion.
The work of cinematographer Michael Ballhaus and production designer Kristie Zea should not be forgotten either, they set a great scene for the actors to work on, a very authentic attempt.
The all-star cast, which also features Ray Winstone as a henchman and Vera Farmiga as Sullivan's psychologist girlfriend, is a big contributing factor to what makes this film so great.
Damon and Nicholson act terrifically in their respective roles, but once again Scorsese has brought out the best in DiCaprio, who steals the show as the shady, slightly off-the-rails cop who tries so hard to bring Costello to justice.
With a great plot, terrific acting, and wonderful cinematography, the only thing that might not be enjoyed about this film is its ending, which is like Marmite - you either love it or you hate it! (I loved it!)
Not an Oscar-winning production, but still a brilliant way for Scorsese to reintroduce himself in this genre of film. Check it out.
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Martin Scorsese makes a welcomed return to the mean streets (of Boston, in this case) ... more
withThe Departed, hailed by many as Scorsese's best film sinceCasino. Since this crackling crime thriller is essentially a Scorsese-stamped remake of the acclaimed 20...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Rookie cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) grew up in crime. That makes him the perfect ... more
mole, the man on the inside of the mob run by boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). It's his job to win the perfect mole, the man in the inside of the mob ran by...
Martin Scorsese makes a welcomed return to the mean streets (of Boston, in this case) ... more
withThe Departed, hailed by many as Scorsese's best film sinceCasino. Since this crackling crime thriller is essentially a Scorsese-stamped remake of the acclaimed 20...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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Hollywood star power remake of the Hong Kong classic crime thriller Infernal Affairs. Two men operate on different sides of the law; one a mole with the Boston Sta...
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Advantages: Witty, gritty, thrilling... the best gangster film I've seen in years. Disadvantages: A bit of a Deus ex machina ending, some predictable moments...negligable really
Entwife 08.06.2007 (04.02.2008)
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Review of The Departed (DVD)
![The Departed (2006) [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78048669.jpg "The Departed (2006) [DVD]")
May 22nd, 2008
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