Martin Scorsese wins Best Director for ‘The Departed’
Director: Martin Scorsese
Screenwriter(s): William Monahan
Based on: “Internal Affairs”, a 2002 film from Hong Kong directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Vera Farmiga, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone
Plot: A corrupt Massachusetts State Detective (Matt Damon) and an undercover cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) both suspect that there’s a rat in each other’s party and try to investigate his identity.
Mini Review: Martin Scorsese presents us with yet another crime drama that best exemplifies his storytelling talents. Using an ensemble cast to illustrate the blur between hero/villain or protagonist and antagonist given certain circumstances that so many have tried to stress, but not quite so fluidly. It’s a concept introduced early on in film and strongly emphasized throughout the film in two characters: Billy Costigan, an undercover cop who infiltrates an Irish gang and Colin Sullivan, a Massachusetts State Detective. ‘The Departed’ encompasses clever editing, hard-hitting acting performances, and a solid story that stays true to its objective. Jim’s Rating: 9.5/10
Random Trivia: Martin Scorsese wanted to shoot the film in Boston, where the story is set. But due to concerns on setting up production and politics, the producers chose New York City to double for Boston because of the state’s 15% tax credit. The bulk of the movie was shot in New York City while a six-week shooting schedule was split in two for Boston, shooting the first half in June and the second half in August. After the success of this film, Massachusetts created a 25% tax credit for filmmaking.
***SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT! WATCH THE MOVIE FIRST AND THEN READ!***
Seeing as how their characters are two sides of the same coin, it’s appropriate that we should see these two in an interview, right?
Oscar-Winning Factors: Acting, Screenplay, Editing
Acting
Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) briefs the detectives on a new case.
Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), a mob boss, tells Billy (Leonardo DiCaprio) that he suspects that there’s a rat among his crew. Billy tries to convince Costello that it’s not him.
Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) and Queenan (Martin Sheen) meet with Billy (Leonardo DiCaprio) to discuss how fed up he is as an undercover cop.
Screenplay/Editing
As Queenan, at this point, was the only link to Billy, Colin Sullivan takes it upon himself to call him using Queenan’s phone. Billy, who was there to witness Queenan’s death, understandably is all too reluctant to answer the phone. When curiosity finally gets the best of him, Billy answers and, as a result, neither person knows exactly what to say.
Billy agrees to meet with Colin to collect his paycheck before he quits the police force. Recognizing an envelope on Colin’s desk that came from a member of Frank’s gang, he immediately flees realizing that Colin is the rat. After Colin comes back to his desk and notices Billy gone and the envelope moved, he deletes Billy’s file.
Madolyn (Vera Farmiga) listens to a tape that Billy told her to keep in case anything should happen to him. In the tape, it reveals Colin Sullivan as the rat.
Nominations & Wins:
- Achievement in Directing (W) – Martin Scorsese
- Achievement in Film Editing (W) – Thelma Schoonmaker
- Adapted Screenplay (W) – William Monahan
- Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (N) – Mark Wahlberg
Source(s): IMDb, The Oscars