Thursday, October 12, 2006
The Departed
Personally, I think the whole movie industry is just a big scam. I refuse to believe that so many people could make so many bad movies and churn out so much…searching for a family friendly term….lameness (best I could do). I mean, we’ve all seen lots of movies and while everyone has their own taste, we can all agree that much if not most of what gets put out is not worth the popcorn left on the floor of the theater after it is viewed.
Then, there is a movie like “The Departed” where it is as if the power brokers in Hollywood get together and say, “ok, we’ve messed with them long enough, lets just get a bunch of good people together and make a good movie.” I’m guessing the most common response to that is, “really? It’s only been 3 years since we made a good movie, shouldn’t we hold out a little longer? I mean, that whole Lord of the Rings fiasco was like 3 great movies in 3 years or something and that really screwed up our averages.”
But somehow, some way more benevolent minds prevailed and they called Scorsese and said, “hey, why don’t you round up some of the better younger talent around, mix in a few veterans and make a good, uncompromising movie.” Fortunately for us, he agreed.
Now, I don’t want to over sell the movie. It isn’t the next Godfather and it probably isn’t even the next Goodfellas. But it is a very good movie done right. They avoided most of the obvious pitfalls and clichés and turned out a good movie.
The movie is about two young cops (Damon and DeCaprio) who come up at the same time. Damon is a hard charging fast climber who happens to actually be working as a mob informant. DeCaprio is guy on the edge who gets turned back to his old neighborhood to be an informant for the police. The main story is a cat and mouse as each tries to find the “rat” in their respective organizations while appearing to work for the opposition.
What’s to like:
1. This list could honestly be very, very long, but I’ll keep it somewhat limited. First, the movie is brilliantly directed with no shot wasted and every scene advancing both the story and the character development. The way the scenes are shot both raise the intensity and tension in the movie and know when to give us a break and let us relax a bit. Could be his best work since Raging Bull and that includes Good Fellas if you’re just talking directing.
2. The characters are believable and sympathetic starting with the stars. Damon and DiCaprio are both balanced complex characters neither all good or all bad. They square off against each other without even knowing it and dominate their respective story lines like Pacino and Deniro in Heat. Not saying they were that good, but they played their characters perfectly.
3. Jack. Nicholson is always good, always. He does tend to play himself a bit, but he’s so layered and intense and weird, that isn’t really a bad thing. He is great in this movie. Go ahead and send him the gold statue for best supporting actor right now. I’m telling you, mark it up. The great thing about the performance is that with very little set up you have to be completely convinced he’s a powerful bad dude completely in charge and to be feared. He convinces you of that in about 2.4 seconds.
4. The other players. Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, Marky Mark and Vera Farmiga are all brilliant. In some ways their performances even outshine the stars. Baldwin and Wahlberg play the best characters in the movie and Farmiga (who was great in the very underrated “Dummy”), gets my nod for best performance from this movie. Completely believable
5. The twists of the story. I can’t tell you what they are of course, but some of them just about take your breath away. The whole movie has a you see it coming but you don’t see it coming sense to it that keeps you on edge
6. I really could go on and on about the movie having the right look, not overly romanticizing the bad guys, being real about the good guys, the great writing, and so forth, but I have to cut it short.
What I could have done without:
1. I can’t decide if I like the ending. I think I didn’t
2. Damon and DiCaprio looked too much a like. It wasn’t that I got them confused or anything, but it was almost like the same actor playing both parts. I think some variety would have added something, though they were both good.
3. That’s about it really. At least that’s all I can think of at the moment.
Who do you like: I’ve been through this, but DiCaprio’s character is quite sympathetic and Farmiga is brilliant. She draws you in to her character and the ones she’s connected with. Marky Mark is the best though. Hilarious.
What’s new: A great cast in a mob movie done right. It isn’t the first time, but it’s been a good long while. Since Casino I guess and this was better than that.
What’s the last word: As mentioned above, I don’t think I liked the ending….I don’t think. I’m still on the fence. It worked for the movie, I’m just not sure it worked for me.
Who you should bring: Uhmmm, well, adults for one thing. This movie is very violent and no one in the movie says 4 words together without cursing. Don’t bring anyone who prefers not to watch that kind of movie and don’t bring anyone younger than 18 (though 25 is probably a better number). With all the violence and most of the characters being men doing manly things and acting like men do with other men when they are violent psychopaths, I think this movie will appeal more to men than to women, but certainly not exclusively and I think anyone who likes Scorsese’s other gritty movies will like this one.
Where you should watch: Well, you will get your money’s worth at the theater (how often can you say that), but you don’t really need a huge screen to enjoy it.
What’s the couch rating: Tough to say how much my lovely wife would have enjoyed this, but it is safe to say she wouldn’t have fallen asleep.
What my gut tells me: My gut and brain are on the same page here. I walked out liking it immediately and the more I think about it, the more I do. That said, I don’t want to see it again. It is a good movie, but it is unpleasant.
What it’s like: Good Fellas, Donny Brasco,
Where it rates: 9. I went in with very high expectations and it didn’t disappoint.
Then, there is a movie like “The Departed” where it is as if the power brokers in Hollywood get together and say, “ok, we’ve messed with them long enough, lets just get a bunch of good people together and make a good movie.” I’m guessing the most common response to that is, “really? It’s only been 3 years since we made a good movie, shouldn’t we hold out a little longer? I mean, that whole Lord of the Rings fiasco was like 3 great movies in 3 years or something and that really screwed up our averages.”
But somehow, some way more benevolent minds prevailed and they called Scorsese and said, “hey, why don’t you round up some of the better younger talent around, mix in a few veterans and make a good, uncompromising movie.” Fortunately for us, he agreed.
Now, I don’t want to over sell the movie. It isn’t the next Godfather and it probably isn’t even the next Goodfellas. But it is a very good movie done right. They avoided most of the obvious pitfalls and clichés and turned out a good movie.
The movie is about two young cops (Damon and DeCaprio) who come up at the same time. Damon is a hard charging fast climber who happens to actually be working as a mob informant. DeCaprio is guy on the edge who gets turned back to his old neighborhood to be an informant for the police. The main story is a cat and mouse as each tries to find the “rat” in their respective organizations while appearing to work for the opposition.
What’s to like:
1. This list could honestly be very, very long, but I’ll keep it somewhat limited. First, the movie is brilliantly directed with no shot wasted and every scene advancing both the story and the character development. The way the scenes are shot both raise the intensity and tension in the movie and know when to give us a break and let us relax a bit. Could be his best work since Raging Bull and that includes Good Fellas if you’re just talking directing.
2. The characters are believable and sympathetic starting with the stars. Damon and DiCaprio are both balanced complex characters neither all good or all bad. They square off against each other without even knowing it and dominate their respective story lines like Pacino and Deniro in Heat. Not saying they were that good, but they played their characters perfectly.
3. Jack. Nicholson is always good, always. He does tend to play himself a bit, but he’s so layered and intense and weird, that isn’t really a bad thing. He is great in this movie. Go ahead and send him the gold statue for best supporting actor right now. I’m telling you, mark it up. The great thing about the performance is that with very little set up you have to be completely convinced he’s a powerful bad dude completely in charge and to be feared. He convinces you of that in about 2.4 seconds.
4. The other players. Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, Marky Mark and Vera Farmiga are all brilliant. In some ways their performances even outshine the stars. Baldwin and Wahlberg play the best characters in the movie and Farmiga (who was great in the very underrated “Dummy”), gets my nod for best performance from this movie. Completely believable
5. The twists of the story. I can’t tell you what they are of course, but some of them just about take your breath away. The whole movie has a you see it coming but you don’t see it coming sense to it that keeps you on edge
6. I really could go on and on about the movie having the right look, not overly romanticizing the bad guys, being real about the good guys, the great writing, and so forth, but I have to cut it short.
What I could have done without:
1. I can’t decide if I like the ending. I think I didn’t
2. Damon and DiCaprio looked too much a like. It wasn’t that I got them confused or anything, but it was almost like the same actor playing both parts. I think some variety would have added something, though they were both good.
3. That’s about it really. At least that’s all I can think of at the moment.
Who do you like: I’ve been through this, but DiCaprio’s character is quite sympathetic and Farmiga is brilliant. She draws you in to her character and the ones she’s connected with. Marky Mark is the best though. Hilarious.
What’s new: A great cast in a mob movie done right. It isn’t the first time, but it’s been a good long while. Since Casino I guess and this was better than that.
What’s the last word: As mentioned above, I don’t think I liked the ending….I don’t think. I’m still on the fence. It worked for the movie, I’m just not sure it worked for me.
Who you should bring: Uhmmm, well, adults for one thing. This movie is very violent and no one in the movie says 4 words together without cursing. Don’t bring anyone who prefers not to watch that kind of movie and don’t bring anyone younger than 18 (though 25 is probably a better number). With all the violence and most of the characters being men doing manly things and acting like men do with other men when they are violent psychopaths, I think this movie will appeal more to men than to women, but certainly not exclusively and I think anyone who likes Scorsese’s other gritty movies will like this one.
Where you should watch: Well, you will get your money’s worth at the theater (how often can you say that), but you don’t really need a huge screen to enjoy it.
What’s the couch rating: Tough to say how much my lovely wife would have enjoyed this, but it is safe to say she wouldn’t have fallen asleep.
What my gut tells me: My gut and brain are on the same page here. I walked out liking it immediately and the more I think about it, the more I do. That said, I don’t want to see it again. It is a good movie, but it is unpleasant.
What it’s like: Good Fellas, Donny Brasco,
Where it rates: 9. I went in with very high expectations and it didn’t disappoint.
# posted by Josh Stump : 5:14 PM
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