The Departed

The Departed
source
Name	The Departed
Director	Martin Scorsese
Producer	Brad Grey, Graham King, Brad Pitt
Writer	William Monahan
Starring	Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin
Music	Howard Shore
Cinematography	Michael Ballhaus
Editing	Thelma Schoonmaker
Studio	Warner Bros. Pictures, Plan B Entertainment, Vertigo Entertainment
Distributor	Warner Bros. Pictures
Released	26 September 2006 (New York), 6 October 2006 (United States)
Runtime	151 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$90 million
Gross	$291.5 million

The Departed. The film is a 2006 American crime thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and written by William Monahan. A loose adaptation of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, it is set in South Boston and follows the parallel lives of an undercover state trooper infiltrating an Irish-American crime syndicate and a mole within the police department working for the same syndicate. The narrative explores intense themes of identity, loyalty, and betrayal against the backdrop of organized crime and law enforcement in Boston.

Plot

The story centers on two men on opposite sides of the law. Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young recruit for the Massachusetts State Police, is assigned by Captain Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Sergeant Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) to go undercover and infiltrate the organization of powerful Boston gangster Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Simultaneously, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a protégé of Costello who has risen within the State Police's Special Investigations Unit, acts as a mole, passing information to the mob. As both organizations become aware of a rat in their ranks, the tension escalates, leading to a complex cat-and-mouse game where each man must uncover the other's identity to survive. The plot culminates in a series of violent confrontations and betrayals that decimate both the police unit and the criminal organization.

Cast

The ensemble cast features an array of acclaimed actors. Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the volatile undercover officer Billy Costigan, while Matt Damon plays the duplicitous detective Colin Sullivan. Jack Nicholson delivers a menacing performance as the ruthless crime lord Frank Costello. The police force is represented by Martin Sheen as Captain Queenan, Mark Wahlberg as the abrasive Sergeant Dignam, and Alec Baldwin as the brash Captain Ellerby. Vera Farmiga plays Madolyn Madden, a police psychiatrist who becomes romantically involved with both Costigan and Sullivan. Key supporting roles include Ray Winstone as Costello's enforcer, Mr. French, and actors such as James Badge Dale, David O'Hara, and Anthony Anderson in various police and criminal roles.

Production

Development began when producer Brad Grey acquired the rights to the Hong Kong movie Infernal Affairs. Screenwriter William Monahan transposed the story to the Irish-American neighborhoods of Boston, drawing inspiration from real-life figures like Whitey Bulger and the Winter Hill Gang. Director Martin Scorsese was brought on board, marking his first major film with Warner Bros. Pictures. Principal photography took place entirely in and around Boston, New York City, and New York in 2005, with cinematography by Michael Ballhaus. The score was composed by Howard Shore, and the film was edited by Scorsese's longtime collaborator, Thelma Schoonmaker. The production faced challenges, including Jack Nicholson's improvisations and the logistical difficulties of shooting in authentic Boston locations.

Themes and analysis

The narrative is a dense exploration of duality, moral ambiguity, and corrupted institutions. Central themes include the erosion of identity, as both protagonists live double lives that consume their original selves, and the pervasive nature of betrayal, which extends from personal relationships to the very foundations of the police and the Irish Mob. The film critiques systemic corruption, suggesting that the lines between law enforcement and organized crime are often blurred. Symbolism is prevalent, particularly with rats representing treachery, and the use of South Boston as a character itself, reflecting tribal loyalties and parochial violence. Analyses often compare its treatment of guilt and sin to other works in Scorsese's filmography, such as Goodfellas and Mean Streets.

Reception

Upon its release, the film was met with widespread critical acclaim and major commercial success. It grossed over $291 million worldwide against a $90 million budget. Critics from publications like The New York Times and Variety praised its direction, screenplay, and performances, particularly those of DiCaprio, Damon, Wahlberg, and Nicholson. At the 79th Academy Awards, it won four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Martin Scorsese, Best Film Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also received awards from the BAFTAs, the Golden Globe Awards, and the Writers Guild of America. The film is consistently ranked among the greatest crime films and is considered a crowning achievement in Scorsese's career.

Category:2006 films Category:American crime thriller films Category:Best Picture Academy Award winners