kelley Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 The Departed is on its way from Netflix! Now I'll finally get to see what all the fuss is about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whooter Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 The Departed is on its way from Netflix! Now I'll finally get to see what all the fuss is about. Ditto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan_E Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Not much fuss from me. I rank The Departed below Cape Fear, as one of Scorsese's lesser efforts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce B Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Jordan, what didnt you like about it? It had everything. Great actors, great acting, drama, action, plot twists. What else do you want? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainmaykr Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Not much fuss from me. I rank The Departed below Cape Fear, as one of Scorsese's lesser efforts. Werd. About 30 miuntes into the movie I was all over it, then it started petering out as the story dragged. And don't even get me started on that abortion of an ending - it was as if Scorsese (or whoever whats to take credit for it) just said, "Fuck it, we need to wrap this up. Have everyone shoot everyone Revevoir Dogs style and roll credits. I'll be in my trailer." I mean, did anyone really give a damn about any of those people that got offed? When Tommy died, although he was rotten to the core, it was still disappointing and as Goodfellas wore on, he character was sorely missed. So it's possible to root for flawed, unflawed characters alike. With Departed, When someone got offed, it was more like, "Meh, whatever..." Only in this age of award sentimentality could Scorsese score his Oscar for this movie. It wasn't a complete waste (far from) but it was far below what this man is capable of. Especially for a man who's made his name giving us bad people to care about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romier S Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 I mean, did anyone really give a damn about any of those people that got offed? Since you asked and all, yes. I did. As did my wife who generally doesn't really get much into these types of films (in fact she pretty much disliked mob movies in general). When Costigan took the bullet in the head after arresting Sullivan, my wife let out an audible gasp and was quite effected by it. Same goes for Sullivan's killing as she was quite satisfied to see Dignam back in the picture after putting in his papers. It was quite a moment of satisfaction to see him get his due. So I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on your assesment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce B Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 It was no Talledega Nights but it was a great movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan_E Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 It was good, only for Scorsese, but I am a fan since seeing Taxi Driver in the theater WAY back in the day, and this just seemed like a director-for-hire job. Goodfellas-Lite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainmaykr Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Scene Romier cited.. I gasped too. But not because of what happened, but more of how it happened. The timing was excellant and came out of nowhere. It was very surprising. The same "surprising" gimmick used in cheap slasher pics - relax the audience, establish calm and order, then hit them with a sledgehammer. But that requires nothing of the audience's investment in the character - that's just the natural reaction to being hit with a sledgehammer. On a side note, I ordered the disc (HD DVD) from Amazon and I was sent two. Oh god of irony, why doth thou torment me so. Disclaimer: I would suggest anyone who has an interest in mafia/organized crime dramas to give this movie a spin. It has a lot going for it, but again, it's at the bottom of the Scorsese list. (Which puts it well above where I'd rank other genre movies from mortal filmmakers.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romier S Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 The same "surprising" gimmick used in cheap slasher pics - relax the audience, establish calm and order, then hit them with a sledgehammer. But that requires nothing of the audience's investment in the character - that's just the natural reaction to being hit with a sledgehammer. ...and you so dafly avoided the second half of that comment which noted that she and I were effected by it. Perhaps I should have been more specific as my saying that I was emotionally invested in the character apparently wasn't enough. Allow me to elaborate.. Costigan was a tragic character for me. My wife commented that she felt extremely sorry for him being alone after Queenin is murdered and she felt a a real sympathy for the character as did I. Something that was developed extremely well in the film IMO. In fact, now that I mention it it's interesting that the murder of such a secondary character like Capt. Queenin also elllicited a real emotional response. The mention of Queenin having a son earlier in the film and his being on the straight and narrow makes you feel a certain pathos for the character and his murder was saddening (especially since I really liked Sheen in the role). These feelings really have very little to do with your sledgehammer commentary which does have some level of truth to it but is also a bit specious. The gasp of seeing his character die isn't only due to suprise and timing, but also the fact that you've spent some two and half some odd hours hoping this guy makes it out. Hoping that Costello does not discover his true intention and hoping he does not get offed for doing what he's been asked to do. Why? I gave a shit. Plain and simple. By the time you reach his meeting with Sullivan on the roof, as the viewer, you feel secure that he has removed himself from peril. I was a bit heartbroken to see him not survive after everything he had gone through. If that did not effect you or make you care for his character, I'm not going to argue subjectivity here, but it certainly had an effect on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainmaykr Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Romier, if you bought into the character, that's where you are going to enjoy that scene more. I did not - he was shallow, convenient, and ill-defined. He benefited from the 2.5 hour movie runtime like a Britney Spears song benefits from radio overplay. On the other hand, if Marky Mark died, THEN you'd have something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce B Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 I think the only way I was let down was in the cop psychologist character. I think there wasn't enough explanation for her actions with her relationships. They never really gave her a true definitive identity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romier S Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 I did not - he was shallow, convenient, and ill-defined. Subjectively of course. Opinion is not fact afterall. If that's how you felt about the character I can entirely accept that even if I don't agree with it. However, you did specifically ask if anyone really cared about the characters in the film so I was required to answer. They never really gave her a true definitive identity Agreed. She had a thankless job in the film. She was supposed to provide a "center" for the two major characters in the film but the relationships seemed cobbled together. She sure was some nice eye candy though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Tyner Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Goodfellas-Lite.Only humorless, lacking the same 'epic' scope, not bothering with any characterization beyond the bare minimum necessary to push the plot forward, and devoid of much personality at all. I liked The Departed and all -- sharp storytelling, wonderful acting, etc., etc., etc. -- but it wasn't the life-changing experience the unrelenting praise kinda made it out to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romier S Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Only humorless Come on now Adam, you can't tell me Dignam didn't get you laughing a bit. "Who the hell are you?" "I'm the guy that does his job. You must be the other guy" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainmaykr Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Since we've already bogged this thread down enough with it, I'll just comment: I think the only way I was let down was in the cop psychologist character. I think there wasn't enough explanation for her actions with her relationships. They never really gave her a true definitive identity. She, along with Sullivan (Damon), are the two characters that stand out most in my critique of Scorsese's latest. These two were more like caricatures of people. Some of the things they were scripted to do felt fake and pulled the audience out of the moment. Her cardboard relationship with Costigan might be a lowpoint in the movie, but Sullivan's poorly grounded relationship with and need to please Costello, which was primary catalyst in the movie, gave the overall story a very contrived feel. It marred much of the stellar acting and took away from Scorsese's still excellant ability to convey mood. Obviously my opinion, but does this even need to be mentioned? Only humorless, lacking the same 'epic' scope, not bothering with any characterization beyond the bare minimum necessary to push the plot forward, and devoid of much personality at all. I liked The Departed and all -- sharp storytelling, wonderful acting, etc., etc., etc. -- but it wasn't the life-changing experience the unrelenting praise kinda made it out to be. Perfect summary. You must do this for a living. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Tyner Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Come on now Adam, you can't tell me Dignam didn't get you laughing a bit. Yeah, but you know what I mean. The very first thing that comes to mind when I think about Goodfellas is Joe Pesci telling his mom he needs to borrow that knife. If I were to start rattling off my favorite scenes from the movie, they're mostly quippy, character-driven moments. In Scorsese's best, it seems as if the story is there to serve the characters. The Departed is the opposite -- it's all about the story, and whether or not the characters have much personality beyond "morally conflicted bad guy" and "morally conflicted good guy" is almost incidental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Zot Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 In Scorsese's best, it seems as if the story is there to serve the characters. The Departed is the opposite -- it's all about the story, and whether or not the characters have much personality beyond "morally conflicted bad guy" and "morally conflicted good guy" is almost incidental. Except you're missing the small change he made in Departed where the characters ARE the story. You cannot separate their strengths, weaknesses, and motives from the movie without it losing all cohension. All of them must be who they are for this film to work. I really liked Departed the first time I saw it, I loved it the second time on DVD. At first I thought that it was Goodfellas-lite, now I'd say it is at least as good if not a MUCH better film. Goodfellas is epic, straightforward, easy to pick apart. Departed is much more subtle (except for maybe the music) in almost every way. At first glance there seems to be less going on with the characters, but once you start peeling the onion it's easy to get lost in what Martin put together. Don't believe me? Name a main character that Goodfellas could survive without other than Ray Liotta. Maybe his wife and Pauly, no one else has to be in that movie. They are all color and fluff. Now do the same for Departed, who could you pluck out and not totally unbalance the entire movie? Maybe Dingham, Alec Baldwin, and a few minor cops/crooks. Otherwise, each character is vital to the movie getting to where it needs to go, none of them are expendable. His best damn movie ever? Maybe, I need to see it a good 4-5 more times to let it sink in. It's tempting to compare it to Heat or Goodfellas, but Apocalypse Now or Godfather might be better candidates. No mistake though - this is a great film and an instant classic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foogledricks Posted February 22, 2007 Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 I just saw this with low expectations. Filmspotting podcast gave it a "decent" review and I hadn't heard much else about the film afterward. And then BAM, I saw the movie and I absolutely LOVED it. I didn't pick apart the movie as you are all doing here, but I find myself agreeing with all of the criticisms in retrospect. But still, I love it any way. I really liked the ending though. I have to disagree about it. After watching a 2.5 hour movie, I thought it wrapped things up pretty well. At first I thought it was wrapped up too neatly. But no, I can't imagine it being better if characters took on different destinies in the end. My one true criticism is Matt Damon. He was the worst character in the movie for me. I didn't love him (as protagonist) or respect him (as an antagonist). His motivations were just not there. If there were one thing about the movie I'd change, it would be to make me care about his character. I didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Tyner Posted February 22, 2007 Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 Now do the same for Departed, who could you pluck out and not totally unbalance the entire movie?...but that's what I mean, really. To me, what made Goodfellas (and Taxi Driver and...) so great was the inessential stuff. The color. The personality. The flourishes. The sense that you really got to know these characters. The Departed is so stripped down to bare metal by comparison that it didn't make nearly as strong an impression. I'm not arguing that "it's not much like Goodfellas, therefore it's no good", but I do think that richly-drawn characters are a strength of Scorsese's that's not used (or at least, grossly underutilized) here. With admittedly only one viewing, I see it as a very well-made genre piece but nothing I feel all that compelled to discuss/analyze/rank in some kind of 'best of' list. I mean, I really enjoyed it, but it didn't have that extra, indefinable something that really wows me...that stays with me...that makes me want to talk about it months or years after seeing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberwoo Posted February 22, 2007 Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 I enjoyed the movie but I feel it is probably overated simply because of the name of the director. I can fire off a list of mobster/cop movies that I like alot better (Godfather, French Connection, Goodfellas, Heat, etc.). Is it fair to compare The Departed to such classics? Given the praise (or hype?) the movie has recieved I think so. IMO it doesn't even come close. I could go on and on about why I feel that way but it looks like the topic has already been beaten to death already. Bottom line is I didn't enjoy it as much as I was hoping and it is nowhere near the classic most people are making it out to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan_E Posted February 22, 2007 Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 Departed is much more subtle (except for maybe the music) in almost every way. Nothing subtle about that rat running across the screen at the very end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainmaykr Posted February 22, 2007 Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 ...My one true criticism is Matt Damon. He was the worst character in the movie for me. I didn't love him (as protagonist) or respect him (as an antagonist). His motivations were just not there. If there were one thing about the movie I'd change, it would be to make me care about his character. I didn't. True, true, but he did have exquisite taste in home audio gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starhawk Posted February 22, 2007 Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 I dont have much to say, but I saw this in the theater recently and absolutely loved it. It was much better than I thought it'd be and one of Scorsese's best IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretvampire Posted February 22, 2007 Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 My wife and I saw this the other night and both thought quite highly of it. I don't really understand some of the criticisms being leveled here...comparing it to Goodfellas is just kind of off-target, it's such a completely different kind of film. Costigan's demise hit us right in the gut and I didn't feel it was a cheap device at all. It made Dignam's last act pretty damn satisfying IMO. No flourish, no character? C'mon, how can you not like the inspired prickishness of Dignam or Baldwin's character getting absolutely giddy over the Patriot Act? James, if you are feeling charitable with that extra HD-DVD, I'd be happy to take it off your hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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