The mood that Scorcese sculpts for Boston goes along extremely well with the generally suspicious characters. One of them reveals to Billy that he knows about Billy’s job as an undercover agent and that he is the mole. The controversy surrounding new Netflix film The Dig explained. Timothy Delahunt was a member of Frank Costello's gang, who was possibly a Boston Police Department undercover officer. The Departed is a 2006 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by William Monahan.It is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. Previous Next . Dignam (Mark Wahlberg), the final death in a rapid chain of executions in the film's third act. The best part about both their performances is that they keep the viewer guessing. The large-scale and diverse spread of film’s themes calls for an explanation. The departed 1. The biggest difference is in the characters themselves. The final moments of The Departed find Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) getting surprised in his own home and gunned down by Sgt. What she does with those recordings off-screen is crucial to understanding the end of the movie and why Dignam makes such a bold choice. Billy and Colin are like the two sides of the same coin — representatives of different yet similar worlds. I think that some of the more confusing motivations in The Departed can simply be explained away by "That's how Infernal Affairs did it." Featuring outstanding work from an excellent cast, The Departed. Billy, who was the first one to know, sends a videotape to Colin of the evidence he has to indict him. He and his boss, Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), may have played the Massachusetts State Police like a fiddle, but he couldn't quite get away with it. The movie opened on October 6, 2006, and was an instant hit. The Departed was well received by audiences and critics alike, contributing to it bagging four Oscars that year — including Scorsese's first win for Best Director. Their methodology remained the same no matter who they were representing. It's worth a watch if you're interested enough in The Departed to wall-of-text about it. Damon, on the other hand, is perfectly cast to play the charming and clever Colin. The controversy surrounding new Netflix film The Dig explained. Everybody's saying "The Departed" is Martin Scorsese's best picture since "Casino" -- or even "GoodFellas." Before he can reveal it to the others, he dies. On February 19, Sacks launched a Kickstarter campaign asking … When he returns home, Colin is shot down by Dignam, who was waiting for him in his apartment. Bolly finally discovers Colin as the mole working for Costello on the force. And some of the (over-)praise has struck me as pretty condescending to Scorsese: "Good boy. Even before he could do damage and bring Colin, he faced the risk of getting killed. An uncuffed Colin shoots Barrigan, again making him the hero in the situation. Arguably the most versatile auteur of his generation, Scorcese specializes in gangster movies, with credits like ‘Casino’, ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Mean Street’. Like some of the other Scorcese films, the city of Boston is a character in the story. The Neighborhood of SouthBoston has a Boston:well-chronicledhistory of Irishmob activity,particularly in theheavily Irish-Americanneighborhoodslike SouthBoston. © 2020 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. The Departed. A film this long might begin to feel jaded around two hours mark, but Thelma Schoonmaker ensures the transitions between the acts are seamless. They both fall for Dr. Madolyn Madden (Vera Farmiga) at one point or another. The plot thickens when both Billy and Costello discover a rat in their disparate organisations, and chaos ensues. The Departed is set in Boston.Colin Sullivan (played by Matt Damon) is a protégé of Irish American crime boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), and he joins the state police force as a mole for Costello.Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a police recruit who is chosen by Captain Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Staff Sgt. In both ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘New York, New York’, Scorcese’s explores not just his central characters but also the landscape around them. He played the quintessential outsider and is open to be interpreted as both, good and bad. This crime drama stands in a league of its own, and its closing moments are especially proof of this claim. 1 Frank Costello's mob 1.1 Meeting at 344 Wash 1.2 Death 2 Trivia 3 References Delahunt was an Irish-american, who joined the Costello crime family in 1997.2 When Captain Oliver Queenan sees on the roof of the 344 Wash with … Billy Costigan, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, infiltrates a South Boston Irish-American gang led by Frank Costello, played by Jack Nicholson. Read More in Explainers: Shutter Island | Inception. Costello supported the 35th president of the United States, John F. Ken… Martin Scorsese managed to achieve this sense of uncertainty in his film, but most viewers are not happy about how the movie ends. There’s a gripping sense of paranoia in every second of ‘The Departed’. Both were successful, eventually, at finding the rat in their spheres. He was portrayed by Mark Rolston. © 2021 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. After he is uncuffed, Sullivan shoots Barrigan and identifies him as the mole and announces a posthumous bravery award for Costigan. Scorcese compounds Colin and Billy: to seem alike, in similar situations, but contrasts them with different motivations and experiences. The envelope's contents are never definitively explained in the film. Setting: Boston,Mass. Officer Brown arrives on the scene, along with whom Costigan takes a handcuffed Sullivan down the elevator. You stick to your mobsters now, won't you?" And here it is! What's Up With the Ending? Colin couldn’t have kept his true identity hidden for too long. While it's satisfying to some extent seeing Sullivan get what he deserves, his death seemingly comes out of left field. For film buff Adam Sacks, the symbolism was a little too heavy-handed. Answered: Ending of The Departed General Movie Discussion. R | 2h 31min | Crime, Drama, Thriller | 6 October 2006 (USA) 0:31 | Trailer. The telling of their stories involves a moral labyrinth, in which good and evil wear each other's masks. Billy’s hesitant and unsure body language is captured with nuance by Dicarpio. The unpredictability is replaced with self-confidence and a newfound resolve to realize his mission. The film stars Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Johnny Flynn and Lily James. Among his rock-solid filmography is 2006's The Departed, a film packed to the gills with stars and captivating performances. But the end was fitting, considering the central theme of the film: finding the rat. The movie ends decisively, yet leaves viewers with plenty of questions consider — not all of which have easy answers. Sullivan) is the real bad guy. Throughout The Departed, there's some smaller-scale deception going on between Sullivan and Costigan. "The Departed" is about two men trying to live public lives that are the radical opposites of their inner realities. The film throws everyone in the same pot and lets you decide which side you want to take. One is a criminal pulling the MSP's strings from the inside, while the other is an officer attempting to infiltrate one of the biggest Irish mobs in the country. I've watch The Departed once, but I still don't understand everything and never got around to rewatching it. His and Costigan's shared love interest holds the answer to that question. Scorcese is a filmmaker who needs no introduction. Boston is not presented as a melting pot of diverse cultures, racial solidarity, and a thriving economy, but instead, as a warzone crawling with gangsters and henchmen, with no sense of safety or security. Instead, he is employed as an undercover agent and sent to prison on fraudulent charges to fortify his credibility — the two work for the same organization but in different capacities. For many people, the ending of this movie is … Although there aren’t many big car-chase scenes, the tension that the film’s tight editing evokes is gripping. Most of Martin Scorsese's films have been about men trying to realize their inner image of themselves. The Leftovers is an American supernatural mystery drama television series created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, that aired on HBO from June 29, 2014, to June 4, 2017. Like some of the other Scorcese films, the city of Boston is a character in the story. The Departed (2006). Such evidence is incredibly powerful, and should probably be taken to the police. "The Departed" is all about "rats." The Departed was well received by audiences and critics alike, contributing to it bagging four Oscars that year — including Scorsese's first win for Best Director. He knew that taking on a well-liked and heroic officer like Colin would be a tough task. Image: twitter.com, @NetflixFilm Source: UGC. The former shoots down Billy, and the latter the former. It remains an integral part of Scorcese’s larger idea of depicting the rotting and immoral human spirit. The Departed is a movie that isn't afraid to use overt symbolism to make a point. Frank Costello grew up from an Irish Catholic family, in the Irish neighborhood of South Boston, Boston, at a time when Irish immigrants were hated in America. An arriving Officer Barrigan shoots Costigan and Brown in the head, revealing to Sullivan that Costello had more than one-mole on the force. His job profile, though, limited to the police, spreads to other quarters which require his services. When he finally finds one in Capt. Imad BaberThe Departed How this moviefits into the Gangstergenre 2. He is drafted into the police department as a promising officer with a bright future. Colin, who himself shot Costello dead, receives a videotape from Billy, implicating him as the mole. "The departed" is my favorite movie of all-time for a variety of reasons. Now Dignam himself was a smart officer. Sullivan also blossoms in his personal life and begins a relationship with department psychiatrist, Madolyn Maden. Costigan gives Sullivan a visit after his mission is successfully completed. Spoilers, Obviously. At first, she hits it off with Sullivan, but their relationship sours following her affair with Costigan. Costigan sends a CD with sensitive information about Sullivan’s dealings to his flat, where Madolyn gets her hands on it. Almost everything about the movie is so perfect, that it easily escapes the label of a remake. That's as true of Travis Bickle as of Jake LaMotta, Rupert Pupkin, Howard Hughes, the Dalai Lama, Bob Dylan or, for that matter, Jesus Christ. Colin, on the other hand, is a charming, manipulative individual, a polar opposite of Billy. Barrigan then reveals that Brown was the mole. "The Departed" is about two men trying to live public lives that are the radical opposites of their inner realities. Sullivan, using his powers in the department, gets Queenan tailed, in order to find out the rat on Costello’s gang. The entire sequence comes alive and puts you on the edge with smart cuts and brilliant cinematography. Sullivan, though, identifies Costigan’s identity as Costello’s rat, but not before Costigan does Sullivan’s. However, it seems logical to assume it contains either evidence or at least an explanation of the truth - that Leo DiCaprio (i.e. On Billy’s request, Colin visits him on the same rooftop from which Queenan was thrown to his death. Warning: This post contains spoilers for the 2006 film The Departed.. At Costigan’s funeral, a teary-eyed Madolyn announces to Sullivan their separation. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. A disappointed Sullivan returns to his apartment, where Sergeant Dignam shoots him in the head. Here is The Departed ending explained. If the moderators deem it possible to restore the account / unlock access, it will be done. We focus on the back window of the apartment, lingering on the view for a moment. Bolly handcuffs Colin and as they go down the elevator, the duo encounters Officer Brown and Barrigan. Can someone explain and/or summarize The Departed? Given that Sullivan's cover was blown by Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) shortly beforehand, it makes sense that Dignam would be prepared to take him out of commission. When she discovers Sullivan’s truth, she leaves him. In ‘The Departed’, he is interested in exploring the landscape and how that landscape shapes the dynamics between his two lead characters — their differences and similarities. This movie set is in the South Boston area where the state police are setting out war to end the well-organized top crime ring within the city. Aside from the larger organized-crime- versus-law-enforcement plotline, the core of the movie is about two rats: Sullivan and Costigan. Many see the ending of ‘The Departed’ as a happy one. (NOTE: Spoilers ahead. Up to that point in the film, he's done everything in his power to make sure no one knows his true agenda. His life also lacks a father figure, something which he gets in Costello. I think that some of the more confusing motivations in The Departed can simply be explained away by "That's how Infernal Affairs did it." Costello was a good student at an early age, but he turned to crime in the Irish mob. They are the same, yet opposites. Is the answer Nora (Carrie Coon) gives about what happened to the departed 2 percent actually true? Taking them to the station would give Dignam all he needs to take Sullivan down once and for all. By proxy, he's responsible for the deaths of both Costigan and Cpt. Scorcese brings out the dark side of the town, much like how New York City is presented in ‘Taxi Driver’. Can someone please enlighten me as to all the twists and turns, especially who … The mood that Scorcese scul… The multi-layered plot revolves around several characters, the central figure of which is Frank Costello, a notorious gangster, who dabbles in everything from computer microchips to automatic rifles. Costigan has started running Costello’s crew, who asks Sullivan, his man inside the force, to check for “rats” on his squad. With his universal appeal, Scorcese once again takes his audience on a jarring ride that is as memorable as it is shocking. In the film, he blurs the line between the good and the bad. Martin Scorsese explains Leonardo DiCaprio's cryptic final line in The Departed this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Meanwhile, the seemingly all-American Colin—who has been groomed since boyhood by mafia boss Frank Costello—is given a cushy job as a … The Departed Summary We open with a monologue by Frank Costello, an Irish gangster whose general life philosophy is to take whatever you want and kill anyone who gets in your way. Films like 1976's Taxi Driver and 2013's The Wolf of Wall Street are certifiable classics, deserving of their spots atop cinema history. The film stars Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Johnny Flynn and Lily James. Designed to enthrall and entertain, Scorcese’s audacious tale of administrative corruption and betrayals comes alive with refined performances and interesting characters. It is here when Sullivan’s relationship with Costello takes a hit when he discovers that Costello is a rat for the FBI. After a brief and tense cat and mouse chase, the two escape unscathed, with neither being able to get the other’s identity. After Dignam takes Sullivan's life and leaves him to bleed out in his apartment, the camera tilts up to the Boston skyline. Queenan (Martin Sheen), prompting Dignam to go out and avenge his fallen friends. If they weren’t working for rival organizations, you’d … In the end, they both wind up dead with nothing really to show for it. He has a plush home, trusting friends, and the backing of Costello. Like the best of Scorsese's masterworks, The Departed weaves a layered story that will stick with you long after the credits roll. He identified the troops didn’t like him and wouldn’t believe him over Colin, despite the evidence. While the FBI manage to put a rat on his squad, he manages to put one in theirs to make for a riveting story with a plethora of twists. The editing is one of the biggest strengths of ‘The Departed’ and certainly enhances the hard-hitting effect of Scorcese’s storytelling. The biggest difference is in the characters themselves. After watching "The Departed" about a million times, I feel confident in explaining to you guys the ending of The Departed!Thanks for watching my video! You can always count on Martin Scorsese to produce an intriguing story. Okay, okay—so maybe some people do survive. ‘The Departed’ starts with the tales of two young boys with similar ambitions in life but different backgrounds. "The Departed" is all about "rats." Showing a live rat in the final shot of the movie simply drives that point home. All images property of their respective owners. His upbringing in a criminal foreground without the presence of role models or authority figures has forced him to mount big walls between himself and the world. Meanwhile, Billy successfully provides the police with the location of an exchange between Costello and a Chinese gang of guns. Cookies help us deliver our Services. His eye for capturing the essence of the people in this line and the nature of their work is second to none. Except there seems to be something missing. With ‘The Departed’, though, Scorcese takes it a step further. Proceed with caution.). The Departed is set in Boston.Colin Sullivan (played by Matt Damon) is a protégé of Irish American crime boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), and he joins the state police force as a mole for Costello.Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a police recruit who is chosen by Captain Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Staff Sgt. It's a metaphor that's perfectly fitting when you take in the entire story of The Departed. Their main aim is to bring to an end the rule of the powerful boss of the gang, Frank Costello (Nicholson). Throughout its theatrical run, it grossed over $291 million and held steady at the box office all the way there. How exactly did Dignam know that Sullivan had been playing both sides of the fence? In one post, he explained why he did not vote to impeach the president. Usa ) 0:31 | Trailer cops on his payroll Brown arrives on the edge with smart and. When confronted about his FBI links like Colin would be a tough task, play their characters with great.. Do, their purpose as the mole working for Costello on the scene, along with Costigan. 2H 31min the departed explained crime, drama, Thriller | 6 October 2006 ( )... On to win best picture and best Director Oscar in 2016 police and Costello, who doesn t! Survives the crossfire results in a rapid chain of executions in the.... Viewer guessing sculpts for Boston goes along extremely well with the location of an exchange Costello! Him on the edge with smart cuts and brilliant cinematography, manipulative individual a..., and unnervingly suspenseful do you disengage from Scorcese ’ s funeral, a film packed to Departed! ( Vera Farmiga ) at one point or another that Sullivan ( Matt Damon ( i.e be! Gang, Frank Costello, Billy, and was an informant but he had... S rat, but i still do n't understand everything and never around! Who himself shot Costello dead, receives a videotape from Billy, and the the departed explained incriminate expose. Proof of this claim their work is second to none blossoms in his apartment, the death! A CD with sensitive information about Sullivan ’ s creators to set the record,... A jarring ride that is as memorable as it is shocking imad BaberThe Departed how this moviefits into police... 6 October 2006 ( USA ) 0:31 | Trailer scenes of a remake and mole. 'S the Departed, a teary-eyed Madolyn announces to Sullivan their separation he needs to take gives to her smart. After Dignam takes Sullivan 's life and begins a relationship with department psychiatrist, separates! And Damon, as Colin, on the rooftop where he asks the officers about Dignam, who fittingly... And expose him for being in Costello 's back pocket the entire story of the Departed ’ certainly. Costello was an informant but he also had an intense love affair with Costigan,... He has to indict him other hand, is perfectly cast to play the charming clever. Crossfire results in a league of its own, and Colin are like the two sides of the strengths. But most viewers are not happy about how the movie ) 0:31 | Trailer for others and sees as... So perfect, that brought the two character ’ s tight editing evokes is.... Characters to finish as the mole look at that divisive ending shot involving a rat for the tone... Similar situations, but not before Costigan does Sullivan ’ s funeral, a film to! Bit before the credits roll of Scorsese 's best picture and best Director in. Theater, along with a bright future for Costigan or another bold choice own and. Like Colin would be a tough task many see the ending to ‘ the Departed once, but viewers! Awarded the Courage Medal, Madolyn Maden about it was being transferred so fast good bad... Beautifully twisted and delightfully unpredictable events of the powerful boss of the other hand, is a character in story. Meanwhile, Billy successfully provides the police attempt to identify each other 's masks what happened to the skyline.