Funny, I started writing this on St.Pats and then COMPLETELY forgot about it....I wonder why? So I'll just start like I never missed it.
It is St. Patrick's day! This glorious holiday unfortunately comes only once a year, giving us movie fans only one day a year to celebrate the gluttony of Irish films. Ok, by gluttony I mean...the, uh, litany? Sadly, the number of films that honor Ireland are few and far between. For every Once you have a Far and Away. Therefore, I took this day to dishonor a movie that takes place in the Irish epicenter of America: Boston.
The Departed is a film by Martin Scorsese, he made famous by the mafia crime genre. It tells the story of two moles; one working for the police, the other for the mob. They have both infiltrated the others' side and are in the works of uncovering one another. Little known fact is that the Departed is a remake of a Chinese flick known as Infernal Affairs. If one were to watch both of these movies they'd realize the story is virtually the same; down to the smashing of the cast on our heroes arm. This is pet-peeve number one. No offence to Scorsese, he's great and I love the guy, but he made an American carbon-copy of a Chinese movie. Doesn't that scream cheap?
The Departed won Best Picture in 2007, not a complete disgrace of a win, but in comparison to Scorsese's other great works it doesn't fit. I mean, people praise the acting of this flick but I just don't get it. To start: Leonardo DiCaprio is fairly unbelievable in this role. He's never been a 'tough' guy. He grows a beard and people think he can kick ass? Right. Matt Damon, while very charming, is so over-the-top it's actually more funny than anything. I mean, he enunciates everything like his life is going to end. Nicholson is cool, but he's not nearly on his form. Mark Wahlberg suffers from the Matt Damon syndrome. Probably the worst of the bunch.
That said, the movie has it's moments. A great soundtrack is utilized beautifully. Some very memorable scenes. And, despite the fact it's a copy, a great story. It's just not the movie people say it is. Did I mention the entire film is copied?
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