Rushed ending
Written: Oct 05 '06
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Complex plot and character development.
Cons: Rushed ending; should have built tension more. Nicholson's over the top acting.
The Bottom Line: Overall, I like and recommend the film. although it could have ramped up the intensity more evenly rather than pouring it all on at the end.
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| collin_ong's Full Review: The Departed |
The Departed is Martin Scorsese's return to the world of cops and criminals. This time, it's the Americanized remake of a very successful series of Hong Kong files (English title: Infernal Affairs). The original series has the original film, a sequel and a prequel. The Departed combines the plot material from the original and the sequel into one film, relocating the action to Boston.
Jack Nicholson plays Frank Costello, a slimy criminal boss and goes out of his way to establish the characters utter cruelty and borderline insanity. For all of the money that his Costello is making, he doesn't seem to spend it on much, because he stays ragged, unkempt for most of the film, only retreating occasionally a moderately nice place. One wonders why he bothers trying so hard to stay on top of his criminal world, or even why the local, state and federal police pay so much attention to him when he seems to only command 20-30 guys at most.
The basic thread of the plot is an undercover operation run by the state police to infiltrate Costello's operation in order to take him down. Billy Costigan, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is fresh meat from the police academy, picked for the long-term undercover op because of his rough family background and lack of social ties. To make things interesting, Costello also has his own infiltrator, Colin Sullivan, played by Matt Damon, inside the police force. The film is a series of maneuvers by Costello, the police, Costigan and Sullivan as they try to outsmart each other.
The film devotes much screen time to developing the relationships between the characters and their environment, because it is these relationships that are key to the complex web of plot threads once the game gets underway. I thought this approach drew you in better than just showing the nuts and bolts of what the players do, because it helps you get inside the characters' head and understand what they are thinking even during parts when nothing is being said, and silence communicates everything necessary as the characters try to think fast and stay ahead of each other.
That said, I think the film did not quite reach the level of intensity necessary to keep the audience holding their breath. A number of times, DiCaprio exclaims vehemently that he's going crazy from the pressure of staying undercover, but we don't quite feel that same level of stifling imminent danger that would make the film real for us. I think the problem may have been Nicholson's over-the-top portrayal of Costello. Every time he is on the screen, he does or says something crazy, but, in the preview audience I was in, most of those drew laughs. And I'm not sure that was what was intended.
In additional to the main three (DiCaprio, Damon, Nicholson), there are a bunch of big names in this movie: Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin. I thought they all did a good job. Wahlberg's character has the strangest way of communicating with foul language, rudeness and dirty analogies, but he proves himself in the end.
I commend the filmakers for weaving an intricate plot (actually, translating it from the original HK film) but it seems like they ran out of time and suddenly the climax is at hand and twists are coming one after another. (From what I understand, they compressed the entire second Infernal Affairs movie into the last 20 minutes or so.) Without giving too much away, the ending is at least satisfying without going for the Hollywood happy ending. Overall, I like and recommend the film. although it could have ramped up the intensity more evenly rather than pouring it all on at the end.
Questionable material warnings: Tons of foul language in just about every line. Graphic blood and violence. One scene takes place in a adult theater showing porn and the show glimpses of the film. Drug use and sex is shown. Although all of this is actually integral to the plot, the bottom line is that kids shouldn't see this film.
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Serious Movie
Viewing Method: Sneak Preview at My Local Theater
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Pacing
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Epinions.com ID:
collin_ong
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Member: Collin Ong
Location: Sacramento, California
Reviews written: 98
Trusted by: 47 members
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