THE DEPARTED
Hong Kong crime-flick "Infernal Affairs" was so perfectly made that it demanded a prequel, but this star-heavy American vehicle is too brutal to be preceded and too funny to be set anywhere but BAH-ston!
[NOTE: For crime genre fans only, leave the young girls ('Leo'-philes) at home]
3 stars (4 stars for JACK-fans ONLY) [(2006)USA/WB/Rated R] - (approx. 2-1/2 hrs.)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Screenplay by William Monahan
Source: screenplay for "Wu jian dao ("Infernal Affairs") by Alan Mak & Felix Chong
Cast ... Lead characters
Leonardo DiCaprio ... Billy Costigan
Matt Damon ... Colin Sullivan
Jack Nicholson ... Frank Costello/Opening narration
Review:
"Nobody gives it to you. You have to take it." - Frank Costello
If you haven't seen the original "Infernal Affairs" then the plotline for this film may be a bit of a challenge. I recommend seeing this film twice or at least go back and check out the original Hong Kong version (and then the prequel to that one) FIRST on DVD.
Although director Scorsese insists this is not a true remake it's hard to stray far from the original with such a tight plotline. The major changes are a relocation of the story from Hong Kong to Boston, MA and the casting of Jack Nicholson (to the story's detriment) in what 'should' be supporting role.
As gangster 'Frank Costello', the living legend Nicholson ("The Shining") steals every scene he's in (no surprise there), but at the same time he makes his scenes so laugh-out-loud funny that they let all the air out of the main plot which is supposed to be a taut, tension-filled, mole vs. mole crime drama between the characters played by DiCaprio & Damon.
As a native Bostonian, actor Matt Damon ("The Bourne Supremacy") fares the best against Jack, plus his scenes with Nicholson predominantly occur on the phone. Sadly, Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Aviator") seems to have reverted back to his 'shout-the-lines' acting mode in the vain hope of overpowering Nicholson. Let's just say he fails miserably and Nicholson blows him away in their many scenes together. Leo's like an apprentice jedi facing the Darth Maul of the acting game, it ain't pretty.
Another native Bostonian, actor Mark Wahlberg ("Invincible") does on the cop side of the equation what Jack is doing on the criminal, he literally shreds every character that comes within range with a hilarously, dazzlingly fast-talking, verbal assault. Audiences will be laughing so much at Jack and Wahlberg that they'll soon forget this is supposed to be a fully loaded film noir.
Nicholson went on to win an Oscar for Best Actor and director Scorsese nailed his "first" Best Picture trophy with this film. But I still say, the Departed's departure from the original film may be entertaining, but it's nearly tension-free and only the kill-em-all structure provides any surprises at all (for those that have seen the original film & prequel).
It's this version of the story or the original, the difference is like choosing sides for a football game, only one of the teams is making up their own rules. Or maybe they both are? Now that's a paradox. Another paradox is whether you should see this film because it's a comedy posing as a drama, or a failed remake that has morphed into something of a novelty.
Like "Black Dahlia," the violence is full out with blood and gore, and the comedy is racist, politically incorrect, and not for the kiddies (at all). I can't really recommend this for genre-fans since it's wildly uneven, but if you love Jack then this is probably worth your time. Just remember, this is no longer a remake, no longer a Martin Scorcese movie, no longer a crime drama ... it's the Jack Nicholson show so take it for what it is and you'll at least get a few laugh out of it.
Like most remakes, if you see the original first you're usually disappointed with the update, and if you see the remake first you find the original to be dated. Take a chance, find out what you may have missed with "Infernal Affairs 1 & 2" and for God's sake, learn to read the subtitles and stay away from any dubbed versions.
MPAA Rating: R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material. (this is not a film for ANYONE under 16 yrs. of age, the violence is bloody and gory and the F-word gets used about a 100 times at least. Parents should be warned that the humor is very adult sexually and very very politically incorrect with insults aimed at the Italians, Irish, & blacks. And yes, the N-word is used. On the plus side there's very little nudity with only a brief glimpse of a porn movie).
Original Music by Howard Shore
Editor: Thelma Schoonmaker
Cinematographer: Michael Ballhaus
Production Designer: Kristi Zea
Art Directors: Teresa Carriker-Thayer & Nicholas Lundy
Set Decorator: Leslie E. Rollins
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
Cast ... Supporting characters
Vera Farmiga ... Madeleine (Staff psychologist)
Martin Sheen ... Oliver Queenan (Capt. of the Undercover division)
Mark Wahlberg ... Dignam (Capt. Queenan's asst.)
Ray Winstone ... Mr. French (aka 'Arnold'/Frank's 'muscle')
Alec Baldwin ... Ellerby (Capt. of Special Investigations)
Anthony Anderson ... Brown (Officer, Special Investigations)
James Badge Dale ... Barrigan (Officer, Special Investigations)
Costello Crew (& customers):
Kristen Dalton ... Gwen (Frank's 'moll')
David O'Hara ... Fitzy (Irishman/Frank's gang)
Mark Rolston ... Delahunt
Dion Baia ... Donegan
Robert 'Toshi' Kar Yun Chan ... Triad Boss
Lyman Chen ... Robert Yan
Costello Crew (non-speaking roles):
Michael Byron, William Lee, & Dennis Lynch
Additional cast:
Robert Wahlberg ... FBI agent Joyce
Conor Donovan ... Young Colin (Opening scenes only)
Zachary Pauliks ... Young Billy (Opening scenes only)
Tom Kemp ... William Costigan, Sr. (Opening scenes only)
Nellie Sciutto ... Queenan's Secretary
Billy Smith ... Detective Reade
Brian Haley ... Detective Flynn
Johnny Cicco ... Sad Sack of Sh*t
David Conley ... Irish Thug
Kevin Corrigan ... Christopher
Derrick Costa ... Officer Doorley
Shay Duffin ... Jimmy
Gary Lockwood ... Jonny
Amanda Lynch ... Carmen
Tracey Paleo ... Darleen
Brian Smyj ... Well Dressed Scumbag
Sallie Toussaint ... African-American Woman At Opera
Cinephilia:
1st source song: "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones
1st cigarette/smoke: Opening scene (Frank)
1st gunshot: Pre-title montage (Frank)
Main title appears 18 min. into film (long prologue, covers approx. 20 years)
1st kiss between lead actors: 1 hr. 11 min. - (Colin & Madeleine)
2nd kiss between lead actors: 1 hr. 21 min. in - (Billy & Madeleine)
MOVIE website-http://thedeparted.warnerbros.com/
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Soundtrack info (from IMDb.com)
Please note that songs listed here (and in the movie credits) cannot always be found on CD soundtracks. Please check CD track details for confirmation.
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"Gimme Shelter" Performed by The Rolling Stones
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
By Arrangement with ABKCO Music & Records, Inc.
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"Minstrel Boy" [Funeral] - Performed by the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums
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"Scotland The Brave"[Funeral] - Performed by the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums
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"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" - Performed by The Dropkick Murphys
Written by Al Barr (as Alexander Barr), Kenneth Casey, Matthew Kelly, James Lynch,
Marc Orrell and Woody Guthrie
Courtesy of Hellcat Records
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"Thief's Theme" - Performed by Nas
Written by Salaam Remi, Douglas Ingle and Nasir Jones
Courtesy of Sony Urban Music / Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Contains a sample of "In A Gadda Da Vida"
Performed by Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band
Courtesy of Phoenix Audio
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"One Way Out" - Performed by The Allman Brothers Band
Written by Elmore James, Marshall Sehorn and Sonny Boy Williamson
Courtesy of Universal Records / Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
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"Nobody But Me" - Performed by The Human Beinz
Written by Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley and O'Kelly Isley
Courtesy of Capitol Records / Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
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"Let It Loose" - Performed by The Rolling Stones
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Courtesy of Promotone B.V.
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"Sweet Dreams" - Performed by Patsy Cline
Written by Don Gibson
Courtesy of MCA Nashville / Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
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"Well Well Well" - Performed by John Lennon
Written by John Lennon
Courtesy of EMI Records / Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
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"Bang Bang" - Performed by Joe Cuba
Written by Joe Cuba and Jimmy Sabater
Courtesy of Emusica Records, LLC
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"Sail On, Sailor" - Performed by The Beach Boys
Written by Tandyn Almer, Ray Kennedy (as Raymond Kennedy), Van Dyke Parks,
John Rieley and Brian Wilson
Courtesy of Brother Records / Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
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"Sancta Maria" - From the film The Informer
Written by Max Steiner
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"Baby Blue" - Performed by Badfinger
Written by Pete Ham
Courtesy of Apple Corps Ltd. / Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
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"Chi mi frena (Sextet, Act 2)" [from opera "Lucia di Lammermoor"]
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Daniela Lojarro, Gisella Pasino, Giuseppe Sabbatini, Michael Knapp,
Michele Pertusi, Marco Chingari with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Roberto Paternostro
Courtesy of LaserLight / By arrangement of Source/Q
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"Comfortably Numb" - Performed by Roger Waters, Van Morrison, The Band
Written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters
Courtesy of Universal Music International (GB) / Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
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"Tweedlee Dee" - Performed by La Vern Baker
Written by Scotty Moore
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp. / By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
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"Lucia di Lammermoor: Act 1: Preludio - Percorrete le spiaggie vicine"
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by The Santa Cecilia Academy Orchestra
Conducted by Sir John Pritchard
Courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited / Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
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"Theme from Symphony No. 9 in E Minor"
Written by Antonín Dvorák (as Antonin Dvorak)
Performed by the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums
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"Sweet Dreams" - Performed by Roy Buchanan
Written by Don Gibson
Courtesy of Universal Records / By Arrangement with Universal Music Enterprises
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"Mother Machree" - Performed by Jack Nicholson
Music by Chauncey Olcott and Ernest Ball
Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young
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