Synopsis

In South Boston the the Massachusetts State Police Department is waging an all-out war to take down the city’s top organized crime ring. The key is to end the reign of powerful mob boss Frank Costello from the inside. A young rookie, Billy Costigan who grew up in South Boston, is assigned to infiltrate the mob. While Billy works to gain Costello’s trust, another young man from the streets of 'Southie', Colin Sullivan, is quickly rising through the ranks of the state police. Working within the Special Investigations Unit, Colin is among a handful of elite officers whose mission is to bring Costello down. But what his superiors don’t know is that he's working for Costello, keeping the crime boss one step ahead of the police. Each man becomes deeply consumed by his double life, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operation he has penetrated. Until it becomes clear to both the gangsters and the police that they have a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin find themselves in constant danger of being caught and exposed to the enemy. Both men are now in a race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save himself.

What The Critics Say

"The profanity-laced but witty and literate dialogue by William Monahan ("Kingdom of Heaven") is delivered by a brilliantly chosen cast, almost all of whom are operating at the very top of their game." Lou Lumenick NEW YORK POST "Only a cinematic master like Martin Scorsese can take a complex character-driven drama and turn it into a grandiose masterpiece." Angela Baldassarre SYMPATICO.CA "...a cocky film, something that plays a little faster than real life and is stuffed to the gills with testosteronic humor. Yes, indeed, Marty's back..." Laura Clifford REELING REVIEWS "The Departed" is a Scorsese film and proud of it. And that's part of what makes it so very good. That, and a swell script by William Monahan and a dream cast headed by Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson. A hugely successful 2002 Hong Kong thriller, "Infernal Affairs," provides the blueprint. Nicholson flirts with showboating, but how can he help it when he's given so many great bits. "The Departed" is Scorsese acting accordingly — fast, fluid and light on his feet. He's helped enormously by Monahan's clever adaptation, which firmly transplants the action to south Boston." Eleanor Ringel Gillespie ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION "Wow -- look at what Martin Scorsese can do with a remake! This is a classic that will go down in cinematic history as one of the Scorsese's best, along with "Raging Bull," "Goodfellas" and "Taxi Driver." Nicholson relishes his diabolical character -- watch how Scorsese lights some of his scenes, all the better to add to his devilishly criminal persona." Linda Cook QUAD CITY TIMES

"...the movie is still one of the best of the year — a gangster Grand Guignol in the histrionic manner of Cagney's "White Heat" or "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels." Dazzlingly done, with a welcome gloss of comic panache, it's the sort of thing Scorsese does better than any other major director in Hollywood. Maybe one day Oscar will realize that. And act accordingly." Eleanor Ringel Gillespie ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION "A great film? To some degree. Great fun? Absolutely. One of the year's best films? Most certainly." Garth Franklin DARK HORIZONS "The Departed is nothing short of brilliant -- complicated, ambiguous and ambitious, executed with a virtuosity shared only by a handful of other American filmmakers." Todd Gilchrist IGN FILMFORCE "We'll be talking about this one for years to come." Pete Hammond MAXIM "It's good to see Martin Scorsese back among the bad guys again, knocking heads, spraying bullets, sloshing through the bloody puddles of their conflicted Catholicism." Kurt Loder MTV "Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" is close to a perfect movie, a poignant cousin to The Great Gatsby and as violent as America itself. It is wicked good." Philip Martin ARKANSA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

The Inside Story Behind every film, good or bad, there's a story, and "The Departed" is no different. In fact, "The Departed" is based on the 2002 crime thriller out of Hong Kong called "Infernal Affairs", which achieved great success in Asia before coming to U.S. shores in 2004. It received a huge reception from the critics, who could only sing its praises. Film critic Emanuel Levy wrote: "Seductively shot and beautifully acted, this is like a summation film, bringing together all the themes, motifs, mood, and style of the gritty policier Hong Kong thriller, one that will make John Woo and Michael Mann proud." It was only a matter of time before someone would take up the challenge and create a 'Hollywood' version. The job of writing the screenplay went to a "Kingdom Of Heaven screenwriter William Monahan, who hadn't even seen "Infernal Affairs". "I hadn’t seen "Infernal Affairs", and I didn’t want to watch it before adapting the story," he said. "I worked from a translation of the Chinese script. There was a great central story around which I could create new characters. I loved the duplicity of the characters in the Chinese film, but my adaptation, thematically, is all about the engine of tragedy that is started when people depart from what they really should be doing with their lives." That begs the question, is "The Departed" just an out and out remake? Not according to acclaimed director Martin Scorsese who stated, "Internal Affairs is a very good example of why I love the Hong Kong cinema, but "The Departed" is not a remake of that film. It was inspired by "Infernal Affairs" because of the nature of the story; however the world William Monahan created is very different from the Hong Kong film." And what were his thoughts when he received and read Monahan's script? "When I received the script, it took me quite a while to read through it because I began visualizing the action and getting into the nature of the story and the characters. One of the things that hit me was that the depiction of the characters and their attitudes toward the world in which they live was so uncompromising. That’s what really got me interested in directing the movie." Monahan says that working with "Scorsese was extraordinary. It was a privilege to see him put the film together in his mind as we were discussing the script. It’s like having years of film school packed into each and every day." The setting for "The Departed" is the U.S city of Boston. It's familiar territory for the writer. "The project came about at a time when I was thinking about Boston, where I came from, and about the people I had lost in my own life," Monahan said. "So it allowed me to explore themes that were very personal to me." Thirty year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police, Thomas B Duffy, who served as a technical consultant for "The Departed" says there's a ring of truth in Monahan's story. "Certainly in 'Southie', the Irish mob dominated and controlled the city’s underworld, at least from the early 1970s until just a few years ago. They were the pinnacle of the criminal world there." Actor Leonardo DiCaprio notes, "As much as it is a gangster movie, "The Departed" is unlike anything Marty has ever done. It deals with a very different set of circumstances, not just that it involves the Irish underworld, but also the fact that it deals with the police force and the corruption there, as well. It is also set in a completely different environment, being Boston, not New York. Although, as we went on, we saw it more as a story of America and the corruption of certain systems in our country as a whole." DiCaprio, who plays Billy Costigan, read the script and immediately wanted in. "I read the script and immediately wanted to be a part of it. I just couldn’t put it down, and I said 'yes' without any deliberation or hesitation. I thought it was a really intense story with multi-faceted and very compelling characters." In fact, "The Departed" marks the third time, two-time Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner DiCaprio and Scorsese have worked together. The previous two occassions were "The Aviator" and "Gangs Of New York". "As an actor, I knew Leo would convey the conflict of a young man who has gotten himself into a bad situation and then wonders what the hell he is doing there. You can see it in his face; you can see it in his eyes," Scorsese notes. "That’s one of the reasons I like working with Leo; he knows how to express emotional impact without saying a word. It just emanates from him. It is quite extraordinary to watch." The other rat in the mix is Colin Sullivan, played by Academy Award winner Matt Damon. "Matt brought a lot to the part of Colin," states Scorsese. "I love that you can see his mind working as Colin is trying to figure his way out of his latest predicament and save himself, even as he gets himself in deeper and deeper over his head. In a way, Colin is an even more tragic character than Billy, because he truly believes he will get away with everything and that, by aligning himself with evil, he has created an inroad to redemption, so to speak, represented by the upper class society of Beacon Hill and the State House, that golden dome he keeps staring at. In the beginning of the picture, you see Costello teaching Colin a false set of values and, by a certain point in time, Colin has no values at all." Damon's character is fostered through his developing years by hard as nails crime boss, Frank Costello . "Inevitably, boys grow into men and Costello knows he will be able to use the loyalty Colin has for him," says Damon. "He gets Colin to join the state police to act as an informant for him. So while one guy is an undercover cop in the mob, the other is a cop undercover for the mob." DiCaprio agrees that their "characters are two sides of the same coin, even coming from the same neighborhood. Colin chose one path and Billy chose another, but their lives are intertwined, linked in ways they could never understand. It becomes this really intriguing chess game of information and disinformation." Frank Costello is portrayed by Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson and although Scorsese and Nicholson have been friends for three decades, "The Departed" marks the first time the two have worked together. "Jack and I have known each other for thirty years," Scorsese reveals. "For some reason, we had never quite connected on a movie, so I thought it would be interesting to see if he had any desire to take on the role of Costello. It may have taken a long time, but it was worth the wait because we had quite a time together on this picture." It certainly was, because Nicholson is in exceptional form. Having Jack on the payroll made a lot of people happy it seems. Producer Graham King remembers: "When Marty first mentioned Jack Nicholson for the role, I thought we were dreaming, but it became a reality. Jack took the character of Costello to another level, as only he could do. There are so many of what I call ‘Jack moments’ in the film, which are just terrific." Scorsese validates Kings assessment. "Jack really made the character his own." DiCaprio notes that working with Jack keeps you on your toes. "Jack Nicholson is a force of nature. He can be very unpredictable when he’s on camera, so you have to learn to roll with the punches. I mean there were moments during filming that I didn’t know what was going to happen next; I was never sure which side of Costello he was going to be playing on any particular day. That can be very exciting for an actor to play against, because it really keeps you on your toes." DiCaprio, Damon and Nicholson are not the only 'stars' in "The Departed". Mark Wahlberg stars as Sergeant Dignam. He recalls Scorsese had trouble handling his native Boston accent. "I don’t think Marty knew what I was saying half the time. He would say, 'We might have to use subtitles at some point.'" Acting great Martin Sheen plays Dignam's boss Captain Queenan. Like Jack it was Sheen's first time working with Scorsese. "What made me say ‘yes’ almost instantly was the opportunity to work with Martin Scorsese. I had never worked with him before, but he has always been one of my favorite directors. With that in mind, how could I make a mistake? Then, of course, I read the script, and I thought it was a great story of divided loyalties and betrayal in the context of law enforcement and criminality. Sometimes they mix and overlap, and you’re hard-pressed to tell the difference." Also in this stella cast are Alec Baldwin as Captain Ellerby head of the Special Investigations Unit; Ray Winstone who plays Costello's right hand man Mr French, and actress Vera Farmiga plays Madolyn, a psychiatrist who specializes in dealing with troubled people on both sides of the law. The Verdict "A slick, classy, violent production, which is just what you'd expect from a gangster film by acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. Scorcese's has surrounded himself with a superb production team and, a stella cast headed by three time Academy Award winning actor Jack Nicholson. It's a huge film in the style that has been a hallmark of Scorsese's career. In the acting department, everyone from Nicholson to Farmiga, deliver the goods characterwise. They never put a foot wrong. The direction, editing, soundtrack and settings are faultless. Despite this, "The Departed" will have its detractors who will, no doubt, cry foul over the films violent content. Wake up guys! It is after all a film about mobsters, right? While Mr Nicholson's performance will no doubt receive rave reviews from the 'critics', it's only what you'd expect from an actor of his experience and calibre. But for my mind, there are two contributors whose efforts add to the pleasure of viewing "The Departed". The first is a dead set exceptional performance from the star of "Catch Me If You Can", Leonardo DiCaprio. The second is the outstanding work of "Gangs of New York" and "Fabulous Baker Boys" D.O.P Michael Ballhaus, whose imagery not only captures the eye, but adds a razor edge to the tension and intrigue of the story. "The Departed" is a highly entertaining film featuring a 'killer' ending, one that will almost certainly leave audiences gob-smacked. Very recommended. 4 1/2 STARS." Cast & Crew Bytes "THE DEPARTED" stars .......
Three Time Academy Award winner Jack Nicholson ["One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest", "As Good As It Gets", "Terms Of Endearment", "A Few Good Men" and "Chinatown"]; Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winner Matt Damon ["Good Will Hunting", "The Rainmaker", "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Bourne Supremacy"]; Mark Wahlberg ["Planet Of The Apes", "Boogie Nights", "The Italian Job" and "Four Brothers"]; Four Time Screen Actors Guild Award winner; EMMY & Golden Globe Award winner Martin Sheen ["Badlands", "Apocalypse Now", "Wall Street" and "Catch Me If You Can"]; 1998 British Independent Film Award winner Ray Winstone ["Sexy Beast", "Last Orders", "Cold Mountain" and "The Proposition"]; Los Angeles Film Critics Best Actress Award winner Vera Farmiga ["Down to the Bone", "Fifteen Minutes", "Autumn in New York" and "The Manchurian Candidate"]; National Board of Review Best Supporting Actor Award & Obie Award winner Alec Baldwin ["State and Main", "The Hunt For Red October", "The Cooler" and "Married to the Mob"] and Golden Globe and National Board of Review Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio ["Catch Me If You Can", "Titanic", "Gangs Of New York" and "The Aviator"] as Billy Costigan.
"THE DEPARTED" was .......
directed by Golden Globe Award winner: Venice Film Festival Golden Lion Award; Cavaliere di Gran Croce and DGA Lifetime Achievement Award winner Martin Scorsese ["Taxi Driver", "Raging Bull", "Goodfellas", "Gangs of New York" and "The Age of Innocence"]; screenplay by Pushcart Prize winner William Monahan ["Kingdom Of Heaven"]; edited by Two Time Academy Award winner Thelma Schoonmaker ["Raging Bull", "Gangs of New York", "The Aviator" and "Cape Fear"]; director of photography 56th Berlin International Film Festival Berlinale Camera Award winner Michael Ballhaus ["The Fabulous Baker Boys", "Gangs of New York", "Broadcast News" and "Something’s Gotta Give"]; original music by Three Time Academy Award, Two Times Golden Globe Award winner and American Film Institute Award for Composer of the Year Howard Shore ["The Aviator", "Gangs of New York", "After Hours", "Made In Milan" and "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy"] production design by Kristi Zea ["GoodFella", "The Silence of the Lambs", "As Good As It Gets", "Red Dragon" and "The Manchurian Candidate"] and costume design by Two Time Academy Award winner Sandy Powell ["Shakespeare in Love", "The Aviator", "Gangs of New York", "Sylvia" and "Far From Heaven"]. Run Time 151 minutes Rated MA15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2006 - Warner Bros - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2006 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved