The Departed
7.5/10. Watched this on April 22 on DVD.
I don’t like to use the word “overrated” -- because it makes my opinion a reaction to the opinions of others and not a reaction to the thing itself. But it’s a word I’m tempted to use to describe The Departed.
As far as Hollywood crime movies go, it's a solid effort. The script is strong and so is the direction, and the A-list ensemble cast does terrific work (although DiCaprio was better in Blood Diamond).
Yet it's also way too long -- the movie it's based on tells the same story in 40 fewer minutes. And it's not particularly convincing -- much of the action feels stagey, with little sense of the world the characters inhabit.
So why the universal acclaim? Why four Oscars, including one for Best Picture? Does a crime movie that's by Martin Scorsese immediately get elevated in people's opinions? Let's just say I have my suspicions...
posted by Ian @ 3:50 PM
2 Comments:
I completely agree. I think Marky Mark is actually a standout performance. To me it felt like there was something missing, and that the Madolyn character could have been involved as more than just a love interest...
Yes, Mark Wahlberg is very good in the movie. In fact, it was because of his performance in The Departed that I decided to take a chance on Shooter (which I enjoyed & will post about later).
Madolyn is a complete contrivance. There are more than half a million people in Boston, and somehow our main characters get involved with the same woman? I put up with it, though, because Vera Farmiga is a terrific actor.
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