The Departed Or How I Discovered My Inner Southie

For two years The Departed has been sitting on a bookshelf in my living room, sandwiched between The Dark Knight and Despicable Me. I had plenty of opportunity to watch it but for some reason had this preconceived notion that I would hate it.

I mean shoot em up crime movies aren't really my cup of tea. More often than not I can't find a plot in crime movies. It's just a race to see who can blow each other's head off the fastest. Yawn.

But The Departed has since restored my faith in crime movies. Impeccable acting, a little romance, a truckload of F-bombs and plenty of blood splatter to please the whole family. Plus who knew that Matt Damon could be such a prick? I didn't know he had it in him.

The basic plot of the movie centers around two Boston policemen who are acting as moles inside the Irish mob. The twist is the police knows about one mole, Billy Costigan (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) but are unaware one of their top detectives Collin Sullivan (played by Matt Damon) has been working with the mob Frank Castello (played by Jack Nicholson) since Sullivan was a kid. The movie revolves around the police trying to pin a major crime on Castello and discover the mole. It is a gripping movie that leaves you glued to the screen to the very end. While I was totally disappointed by the end, I understand it had to be that way. What do you all think?

I quite frankly am shocked that Leo didn't get nominated for his performance. He got a nomination for Blood Diamond, but not this? Really?? I thought he did a phenomenal job playing Billy the scared sh*tless, vulnerable and volatile undercover cop who never let his hands shake. The whole movie he looks like a deer caught in the headlights but still manages to fool everyone.

Matt Damon also gave a stellar performance but goodness was I so glad to see Mark Wahlberg in his apartment in the end. Got what he deserved. And all I can say is I pray that Madolyn's baby is Billy's for her sake. I was so terrified that Sullivan was going to kill her in the end. I mean he's that crazy that he would kill his unborn child.

I give The Departed a solid 4 out of 5. It is definitely a movie I will watch again especially when I'm in the mood to let my inner Southie out. Isn't it fun to curse at everything in your path and pretend like you're a big shot when you're really not?

Favorite Moments

 

• Any time Mark Wahlberg was on screen putting someone down. Classic.
• Scene when Madolyn and Billy first meet. 
• Mark Wahlberg's get up in the end.

Boo Moments 

• What the heck was in the envelope??? 
• Can those elevator doors just stay shut? Do they have to open? 
• Martin Sheen + Building.