The Departed - review thread
 

It's got 100% on RT right now, though it's only out of about 10 reviews, it still bodes well.

The only thing I'm worried about is that all the reviews agree that the movie "drops the ball" in it's final act - whatever that means.

Equally positive review at CHUD: http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=reviews&id=7778

Wow. He only gives four stars to about one or two movies a year.



Richard Roeper and Kevin Smith gave it great reviews, too.
http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/eber...per/today.html

Nice. Seems like Marty's got a strong winner on his hands.

I wonder if this will be the sort of flick that can get him Oscar nods - not that he needs it.

The Oscars don't tend to reward these sorts of crime-genre pictures, but that's what they also said of fantasy films before LOTR.

Very encouraging. This makes me all the more eager to see this film.

Scorsese will eventually get a sympathy Oscar. Whether this is the film in which he'll get it or it's a future film of his, I don't know.

Jimmy B's review definitely caught me off guard. I may have to see this in the theater now. But I still can't help but feel this is all pointless. Infernal Affairs was a great flick, and not only that, I'll know all the twists that are coming when I see The Departed.

Here are some interesting observations from D.K. Holm:

The rash of promotional magazine articles has also filled in some details about this most anticipated of movies. Among them is the American Cinematographer interview with DP Michael Ballhaus. It’s a weird interview because Bauhaus admits to abhorring violence, and only consents to doing Scorsese’s films because, vaguely, “the way he plays those scenes tells you something about the characters.” Ballhaus is one of the few collaborators who will admit to having seen the source film (Scorsese and the screenwriter say they have avoided it) — and I wish he hadn’t. Everything he says about Infernal Affairs is wrong. Ballhaus says he enjoyed Lau’s movie, but adds that ” Infernal Affairs is a very fast-moving and stylish picture, but it has a very different style than The Departed. Marty’s version is much more character-driven, whereas the Chinese version [sic; it’s not a ‘version,’ it is the actual movie, of which ‘Marty’s’ is the version], while very good, doesn’t have the same depth. It was good for me to see Internal Affairs because it helped me learn what to do and not to do in our film. The original is lit very darkly in places and is rather mysterious, which is sometimes good. However, it’s occasionally a bit difficult to see the characters, and it’s also primarily action-driven. Ours also has a lot of action, but we took a more American approach to the material.” To paraphrase Peter Gallagher in the great Malice, all due respect, Mr. Ballhaus, but knock it off. Everything you say is wrong. Infernal Affairs is well lit. If there are parts of the film so dark you can’t see the characters I’d like to know where they are. Does he mean the movie theater scene? And what does he mean by “mysterious”? What does that mean? On the subject of action, the reverse of what Ballhaus says is true. Infernal Affairs is character driven, not action driven. That is perfectly obvious. I suspect he saw Hard-Boiled and thought it was Infernal Affairs. How condescending of Ballhaus to say that viewing the source taught him what not to do. And what is this more “American” approach to the material”? What does that mean? Based on what American films in general do lately I would guess it means drain it of all interest and importance. It’s American movies that can’t develop characters of late, and it is HK films that have out-Hollywooded Hollywood when it comes to coherent, suspenseful, and amusing action. Infernal Affairs also showed that HK films have greater, not lesser, depth of character in their films. What a string of ridiculous, inaccurate, embarrassing, condescending, self-serving, and ignorant statements.

The interview with Scorsese in Entertainment Weekly also bothered me. Scorsese seemed disengaged. When reminded that he is using the Rolling Stones’s “Gimmee Shelter” yet again to kick off a film, lamely replied that, “I guess I’m repeating myself.”

I'm just wondering where Scorcese thought Infernal Affairs needed nearly 50 minutes of fleshing out to get to the Departed's running time.

I haven't seen Departed yet, but I thought that it was supposed to contain portions of Internal Affairs and the sequel. That explains why it's about an hour longer. Even at 152 minutes (according to filmjerk.com), it's still quite a bit shorter than Marty's recent flicks. I was kinda hoping this would be three hours like Casino, but 152 minutes isn't bad.

I saw a sneak preview last night.

It is definitely Scorsese in fine form. For my money - it would rank between Goodfellas and Casino in his mob filmography and Nicholson gives a great performance. It reminded me a bit of "Heat" with DiCaprio and Damon playing the Pacino/DeNiro roles.

My main complaint would be that I always have a hard time buying Mark Wahlberg playing a "smart" guy. He does get some funny lines - but I just don't buy him as someone who could progress to a high level in his job.

I also felt the wrap-up of the plot drops the ball from the very high level the film playes with up to that point.

This is definitely one that I will rush to see - loved the original, this has a cast of actors that I always appreciate watching, and it's SCORSESE!

Wow. I'm thinking this movie may get Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Nicholson), Editing, and maybe even Actor (DiCaprio) Oscar nods. I'm sure hoping it takes out at least Supporting Actor and Director.

Well it was at 100% on RT with 20 reviews, but some jackass at Village Voice gave it a rotten, even though he praises the film for most of his review...

Still, 95% out of 21 reviews (most of them legit reviewer) aint bad at all.

Jim Hoberman isn't a jackass...usually.

Very thrilled to watch this film. Great cast and it seems all the critics are liking it.

I will finally make my return to the cinema for this one on Friday. Haven't been there since The New World.

Can't wait, i'm catching this tomorrow morning as part of a work event :D

Saw it, loved it. Don't know why anyone would complain about this movie. Like a good movie, it sucks you in and never gets boring. Intense from start to finish. I thought the Aviator was boring and Gangs of New York felt sort of off-kilter. A fine movie and the cast was excellent.

I definitely got a "Heat" vibe from Infernal Affairs with the way it makes you sympathize with both the crook and the cop. Nice to hear The Departed recaptures that feeling.

For those who have seen both films, how similar is The Departed to Infernal Affairs?

Not a fan of Scorsese, really not a fan of unnecessary and categorically inferior American remakes, but I might make an exception if it isn't an embarrassment.

95% with 86 reviews :banana:

Can't wait to see this flick.

It's the 3rd Scorsese picture to feature the Stones' Gimme Shelter (behind Goodfellas & Casino). That alone is enough to get me to go see this. :D

Infernal Affairs was one of my favorite Asian flicks ( I am Asian myself)' it's stylish, intense and has great characters.

I am not a fan of Scorsese as well, but wow...this movie is even better than the original! It's just a fantastic movie all around...It is definately one of the movie I will be watching again and again and again in the future.

cheers -)

I don't know, I didn't really sympathize with the rat at all. I enjoyed this movie up until the end, which left me dissapointed. I guess I was expecting a better resolution to all the lies and deceit.

Edit: Er... not rat. The mole :p

I have a question:

Incredible movie... best of the year so far. Great acting all around, tons of great dialogue and was vintage Scorsese...easily his best movie in years...love him working in this genre. Lots of twists and turns, great ending and just an all around great time at the movies.

MATT

Just saw it, it was pretty good, I wouldn't say it's Scorsese's best though. Not as good as the better-paced and more thrilling Infernal Affairs.

One note about the ending

Saw it, and loved it. I am one of the 3,000 nuts that bought the Limited Edition 8 (or 9, can't remembeR) DVD version of the Infernal Affairs trilogy from overseas., so I had high hopes going in.

This is how I saw the ending:

Since my copy of IA is packed away in a moving box, can someone recap (with spoiler tags, obviously) the ending(s)? I believe there were two filmed. I want to say Scorsese threw in a couple of extra red herrings, but my memory of IA isn't so fresh.

I just got back and thought this was a great movie. One of the best I've seen in awhile.

I agree with movieking's interpretation of the ending.

I really loved IA and was suprised I liked this so much. The only thing that really bugged me was the very last scene:



If it wasn't for that last scene I would have loved it.

Also anyone else get a third man vibe from the last scene?

No one is going to mention the brutal violence in this one? I haven't seen Infernal Affairs but even I was cringing quite a bit from the violence in this one. It's probably one of the most violent films I have ever seen. It seemed Scorsese was out to send a message with this one, take your only Oscar attempt film dramas outta here. This is Scorsese raw and brutal. Jack was as expected completely scene chewing and gone mad.

While it was very violent and the audience I viewed it with mostly agreed, I didn't think it was more violent then some of his earlier work, like Casino.

One of, if not the best film i've seen all year.

Loved it... fuckin loved it. Everything from the way Marty weaves his camera, Leo and Damon knockin boots with Jack, big Alec Baldwin, the music, and Marky Mark being a brilliant hardass. It all far surpassed my expectations. Although I was a little confused at the beginning (the good guys are bad, the bad guys are good... I almost forgot who I myself was rooting for), there's nothing to point to but great directing as everything was piecing together while the ride was still goin.

One quick question...

I liked Infernal Affairs but wasn't floored by it. The Departed blew me away. Amazing film and easily my favorite Scorsese film since Bringing out the Dead. Really took the themes of the original, fleshed them out, and brought everything down to earth giving it genuine moral weight. Just a great film all around, I can't wait to see it again.

Saw it at a packed theater in Culver City and the audience seemed to love it too. Lots of collective gasps, shocked silence, and laughter. Exiting the theater everyone seemed very pleased.

Don't remember the last time I saw a movie that seemed to be so universally enjoyed by an audience. (Even by some people who seemed overly affected by some of the violence). Just so great to see Scorsese back to naturally clicking with the material like he has in all of his best.

I caught a matinee today with mostly older people in the audience. When they brought out that chocolate cake tower durring Damon's date, people in the audience were oooohhhing and aaawwwwing. That made me laugh.

The "original" ending of IA = Andy Lau/Ming (Damon/Sullivan) got away with everything

The "alternate" ending of IA = Ming got arrested when he's getting outta elevator

http://www.lovehkfilm.com/reviews/infernal_affairs.htm

So I still wish that Brad Pitt could play a role but he appears to be a producer instead. Oh well.

Actually it would be fun to hear him swearing like a sailor. 150 minutes of F-bombs, buddy.

Somehow they simply replace Morse Code with SMS. That worked so well but now it is not there. Besides, try to send a text message to a specific number when you have to hide your phone in your pocket. That was way cool.

Is it a plot hole that Costigan's phone should be vibrating in the first place but all of a sudden it's ringing so that Sullivan could actually hear it? Both of them should be text messages and I just wonder why it would be different.

That John Lennon / U.S. President shit-testing might be a bit too funny. It certainly takes someone with 140 IQ to give an answer like that.

Is Vera Farmiga somewhat irrelevant? The chemistry is not really there IMHO and I am still trying to figure out what's the deal with her picture.

The ending is just like a rush and a half:
1st guy is down - what?
2nd one is down, too - what what?
3rd one is down, again - what what what?

With all due respect we are not THAT stupid and Costigan's classmate should not look so stupid as well. Then the very last scene is like ER -The Movie- or something. Do you guys think that Marky-Mark could have weared his "costume" for an operation room cameo?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n2054845.shtml
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n2065184.shtml

Hey, Doctor Dignam. How're you doing?

Excellent, Excellent movie....By far the best film of the year in my book.

Marty is back. This is his best film since Goodfellas.

Is the hd-dvd available for preorder yet??? ;)