The Departed (20th Anniversary)
A gritty crime film by Martin Scorsese about a police officer who goes undercover in the Irish-American underworld. It made Oscar history as Scorsese was honoured as Best Director for the first time – some thirty years too late.
To bring down the gang led by the ruthless mafia boss Frank Costello, young Billy Costigan is deployed as an undercover agent. At the same time, however, Colin Sullivan has worked his way up through the Boston police force as Costello’s secret informant. When the two begin to catch wind of each other’s existence, a nerve-wracking game of cat and mouse ensues, with multiple plot twists and casualties.
‘Cop or criminal, when you see a loaded gun, what’s the difference?’ is one of the many memorable quotes in Martin Scorsese’s remake of the 2002 Hong Kong police thriller Infernal Affairs. With a gripping crime plot, fast-paced editing, violence and well-chosen music – from the Rolling Stones to punk band the Dropkick Murphys – The Departed fits right in with his earlier audience favourites such as Taxi Driver and Goodfellas. As a bonus, there is the brilliantly cast Mark Wahlberg in his supporting role as the foul-mouthed Sergeant Dignam. (mdv)
Written by M.D.V.