Review of The Departed (2006) by Art S — 29 Jan 2016

The last time I watched Scorsese's remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs (2002), it was pretty soon after I'd seen the original, which is also great. In fact, at the time, I felt the HK film was stronger.

But now, at a greater distance, I can see how Scorsese has made this gritty undercover cops-and-robbers drama his own (perhaps it is those Catholic church references). Although not perfect and sometimes over-indulgent, the film is never less than engaging.

Matt Damon is loathsome as the rat inside the police and Leonardo is suitably wary as the cop inside the gang. Jack Nicholson plays the crime boss with his usual grand relish. Marky Mark Wahlberg has a showy bit part as a foul-mouthed staff sergeant and Alec Baldwin and Martin Sheen are always good value.

Vera Farmiga handles a tricky role as the psychologist girlfriend well. There are a number of twists and surprises. I haven't seen all of Scorsese's more recent films but his use of music here is almost cliché (for him) - we hear the Rolling Stones prominently.

But I recall that he intended this to be a b-picture (which is what he said about Shutter Island too), so perhaps he is excused. In fact, the film doesn't have much to say but as an A version of a genre piece, it is pretty fun.