The Departed (2006)
To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.
Details
Budget
$90,000,000
Rating
8/10 (15170 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures, Plan B Entertainment, Initial Entertainment Group, Vertigo Entertainment, Media Asia Films
About The Departed
Directed by Martin Scorsese, the 2006 crime thriller "The Departed" explores themes of identity, loyalty, and deception within the Irish-American organized crime scene in Boston. The narrative follows an undercover state trooper tasked with infiltrating a crime syndicate, while simultaneously, a mole from the syndicate has risen through the ranks of the police department. Both sides are unaware of the other's presence, leading to a tense, intricate struggle as they race to uncover the informant in their midst.
The film is a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs" and maintains a complex plot structure. Its portrayal of crime and law enforcement is grounded in its setting, using keywords like "Boston, Massachusetts," "gangster," and "Irish-American" to define its world. The story focuses on the psychological toll of leading double lives, with characters navigating dangerous allegiances in an environment of constant suspicion.
"The Departed" received a high level of critical recognition, reflected in its Metacritic score of 85/100 and a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 91%. Audiences also responded positively, giving it an IMDb rating of 8.5 based on over 1.5 million votes and a TMDb average of 8 out of 10 from over 15,000 votes. The film's critical and popular reception, combined with its strong cast and direction, solidified its place as a significant entry in the crime drama genre.
Why you might be searching for The Departed
People often search for "The Departed" due to its complex storyline involving moles in both the police and organized crime, set against a Boston backdrop. Specific searches highlight memorable character lines, the involvement of Anthony Anderson, or the dynamic between various crime figures and law enforcement. The film's intense, often angry, and complex mood also makes it a subject of search.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer noted that while they generally dislike remakes of international films, "The Departed" is a strong exception, attributing its success to the director, cast, and script, and considering it one of Scorsese's best works despite the Oscar controversy.
Read the full reviewAnother review describes the film as a thrilling, edgy, and psychological gangster picture, praising the strong performances from the cast and the film's ability to create a sense of paranoia, despite some minor plot contrivances.
Read the full reviewA reviewer highlighted Leonardo DiCaprio's performance as undercover cop Billy as potentially his best, noting how the film skillfully builds menace and unravels a complex thriller over its runtime, with Jack Nicholson also giving a strong performance.
Read the full reviewA review praised the film as one of the best they had seen, specifically mentioning its remarkable ending, intelligent story, and sublime acting, and expressing appreciation for Jack Nicholson's talent.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can watch "The Departed" on Netflix. It is also available to stream on Apple TV and Fandango.
While a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs," "The Departed" is loosely based on real-life figures, including the Winter Hill Gang, corrupt FBI agent John Connolly, and Irish-American crime boss Whitey Bulger.
In the climax of "The Departed," Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) discovers that Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is the mole for the crime boss Frank Costello. After an attempt to arrest Sullivan, Costigan is killed by Trooper Barrigan, another of Costello's moles within the police department. Sullivan then kills Barrigan, framing him as the sole mole. Later, Costigan's recordings of Sullivan's incriminating conversations are found. In the final scene, Staff Sergeant Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) shoots and kills Sullivan in his apartment, bringing the story to a close.
"The Departed" is considered a well-regarded crime thriller, receiving 91% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and an average score of 85 out of 100 on Metacritic. Critics praised its direction, performances, screenplay, and editing, with many calling it an engrossing gangster drama.