Product Description Departed, The: Special Edition (Dbl DVD) (WS)Rookie cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) grew up in crime. That makes him the perfect mole, the man on the inside of the mob run by boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). It's his job to win Costello's trust and help his detective handlers (Mark Wahlberg and Martin Sheen) bring Costello down. Meanwhile, SIU officer Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) has everyone's trust. No one suspects he's Costello's mole. How these covert lives cross, double-cross and collide is at the ferocious core of the widely acclaimed The Departed. Martin Scorsese directs, guiding a cast for the ages in a visceral tale of crime and consequences. This is searing, can't-look-away filmmaking: like staring into the eyes of a con - or a cop - with a gun.]]> desertcart.com Martin Scorsese makes a welcome return to the mean streets (of Boston, in this case) with The Departed, hailed by many as Scorsese's best film since Casino. Since this crackling crime thriller is essentially a Scorsese-stamped remake of the acclaimed 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, the film was intensely scrutinized by devoted critics and cinephiles, and while Scorsese's intense filmmaking and all-star cast deserve ample acclaim, The Departed is also worthy of serious re-assessment, especially with regard to what some attentive viewers described as sloppy craftsmanship (!), notably in terms of mismatched shots and jagged continuity. But no matter where you fall on the Scorsese appreciation scale, there's no denying that The Departed is a signature piece of work from one of America's finest directors, designed for maximum impact with a breathtaking series of twists, turns, and violent surprises. It's an intricate cat-and-mouse game, but this time the cat and mouse are both moles: Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is an ambitious cop on the rise, planted in the Boston police force by criminal kingpin Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a hot-tempered police cadet who's been artificially disgraced and then planted into Costello's crime operation as a seemingly trustworthy soldier. As the multilayered plot unfolds (courtesy of a scorching adaptation by Kingdom of Heaven screenwriter William Monahan), Costigan and Sullivan conduct a volatile search for each other (they're essentially looking for "themselves") while simultaneously wooing the psychiatrist (Vera Farmiga) assigned to treat their crime-driven anxieties. Such convenient coincidences might sink a lesser film, but The Departed is so electrifying that you barely notice the plot-holes. And while Nicholson's profane swagger is too much "Jack" and not enough "Costello," he's still a joy to watch, especially in a film that's additionally energized by memorable (and frequently hilarious) supporting roles for Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, and a host of other big-name performers. The Departed also makes clever and plot-dependent use of cell-phones, to the extent that it couldn't exist without them. Powered by Scorsese's trademark use of well-chosen soundtrack songs (from vintage rock to Puccini's operas), The Departed may not be perfect, but it's one helluva ride for moviegoers, proving popular enough to become the biggest box-office hit of Scorsese's commercially rocky career. --Jeff Shannon On the DVD Introduced by director Martin Scorsese, the nine deleted scenes from The Departed are all interesting to watch, though not a significant loss from the picture. The other bonus features are very good as well. "Stranger Than Fiction: The True Story of Whitey Bulger, Southie, and The Departed" is a 21-minute history of the real-life Boston gangster Jack Nicholson's character was based on. Scorsese, screenwriter William Monahan, and a number of journalists are among those interviewed. In "Crossing Criminal Cultures" (24 minutes), Scorsese and the cast discuss gangster pictures and specifically Scorsese's. Consider that a warm-up for Scorsese on Scorsese, an 86-minute documentary from 2004. (It's the only bonus feature not available on the HD DVD or Blu-ray versions.) There's no narrator or interviewer: it's just Scorsese talking about his upbringing and influences. There's a generous use of clips through The Aviator and even his American Express commercial. --David HoriuchiBeyond The Departed More gangster movies desertcart.com's Martin Scorsese Essentials The original inspiration: Infernal Affairs Review: Scorsese's best since Goodfellas! - He has made good musicals (New York, New York), surreal comedies (After Hours), satires (The King of Comedy) and biopics (The Aviator), but Martin Scorsese has never done better than the times he's dealt with life on the streets and gangsters. Mean Streets, Goodfellas and Casino (and, to some degree, Taxi Driver) are proof of that. It doesn't seem strange, then, that his finest film in over a decade (Goodfellas was released in 1990) sees him return to that familiar ground. With a few changes. The Departed, based on Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs (2002), is Scorsese's first gangster film not to feature Italian-American criminals. In fact, this film is set in Boston, where the Irish rule. One of these "godfathers" is Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), the man the State Police want the most. After years of investigation, they're finally getting close, thanks to undercover agent Billy Costigan (Leonardo Di Caprio). Because of his family (all Irish, all bad), becoming a member of Costello's crew isn't that difficult. Now all Costigan has to do is report to his superiors, Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Dignam (Mark Wahlberg), who will pass on the information to Ellerby's (Alec Baldwin) Special Investigations Unit. What they don't know is that Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), the most promising element of said unit, has been on Costello's payroll since he was 12. Soon enough, both cops and crooks become aware of the situation, beginning a manhunt that's gonna make the already fragile Billy even more nervous and Costello increasingly crazier. By moving from Hong Kong to Boston, Scorsese and screenwriter William Monahan have made the first step in ensuring this film will be quite different from its Chinese inspiration. Another significant factor is the running time: a mere 97 minutes for Infernal Affairs, 150 for The Departed. This is due to new characters (Dignam and Costello's henchman Mr French, played by Ray Winstone, were missing in the original) and subplots, such as the one concerning Madolyn (Vera Farmiga), a psychiatrist who gets emotionally involved with both of the moles. But the most crucial difference is in the depiction of the underworld: whereas IA was stylish without being excessive, Scorsese's vision comprises very colorful language (some insults are so creative one might expect Joe Pesci to show up) and, of course, buckets of blood, the last part of the movie proving to be particularly shocking. None of the scenes ever reach the gross-out level of Casino's head-in-the-vice scene, but in pure Scorsese tradition it remains unflinchingly violent (also notable is the music, perfectly setting the mood, scene after scene, alongside Thelma Schoonmaker's impeccable editing). Amidst these brutal surroundings, the director handles a spot-on cast: Baldwin, Sheen and Wahlberg (the latter finally back on form) make good use of their little screen time, Damon fine-tunes the edgier side he showed in The Talented Mr Ripley and the Bourne movies, and Nicholson, playing the villain again at last, delivers another OTT but classy turn (original choice Robert De Niro would probably have played the part with more calm and subtlety). A special mention is needed for Di Caprio: working with Scorsese for the third consecutive time, he has finally found a way to shake off his Titanic image, thanks to a vulnerable, gripping (and arguably career-best) performance. With its clever plot, excellent acting and expert direction, The Departed is without doubt the year's best film so far. If this really is going to be his last gangster film (he has said so), as well as his last studio-endorsed picture, Scorsese can be proud, given the masterpiece he has given us. Review: Better every time - I think this is a must own for any Scorcese fan, and anyone who loves crime dramas. Full of great actors and great performances. Unofficial story of Whitey Bulger, the Boston mafia crime boss. I truly think it gets better with every watch. And Vera Farmiga is so good in this I can’t believe she didn’t get a ton of leading rolls right after.
A**A
Scorsese's best since Goodfellas!
He has made good musicals (New York, New York), surreal comedies (After Hours), satires (The King of Comedy) and biopics (The Aviator), but Martin Scorsese has never done better than the times he's dealt with life on the streets and gangsters. Mean Streets, Goodfellas and Casino (and, to some degree, Taxi Driver) are proof of that. It doesn't seem strange, then, that his finest film in over a decade (Goodfellas was released in 1990) sees him return to that familiar ground. With a few changes. The Departed, based on Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs (2002), is Scorsese's first gangster film not to feature Italian-American criminals. In fact, this film is set in Boston, where the Irish rule. One of these "godfathers" is Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), the man the State Police want the most. After years of investigation, they're finally getting close, thanks to undercover agent Billy Costigan (Leonardo Di Caprio). Because of his family (all Irish, all bad), becoming a member of Costello's crew isn't that difficult. Now all Costigan has to do is report to his superiors, Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Dignam (Mark Wahlberg), who will pass on the information to Ellerby's (Alec Baldwin) Special Investigations Unit. What they don't know is that Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), the most promising element of said unit, has been on Costello's payroll since he was 12. Soon enough, both cops and crooks become aware of the situation, beginning a manhunt that's gonna make the already fragile Billy even more nervous and Costello increasingly crazier. By moving from Hong Kong to Boston, Scorsese and screenwriter William Monahan have made the first step in ensuring this film will be quite different from its Chinese inspiration. Another significant factor is the running time: a mere 97 minutes for Infernal Affairs, 150 for The Departed. This is due to new characters (Dignam and Costello's henchman Mr French, played by Ray Winstone, were missing in the original) and subplots, such as the one concerning Madolyn (Vera Farmiga), a psychiatrist who gets emotionally involved with both of the moles. But the most crucial difference is in the depiction of the underworld: whereas IA was stylish without being excessive, Scorsese's vision comprises very colorful language (some insults are so creative one might expect Joe Pesci to show up) and, of course, buckets of blood, the last part of the movie proving to be particularly shocking. None of the scenes ever reach the gross-out level of Casino's head-in-the-vice scene, but in pure Scorsese tradition it remains unflinchingly violent (also notable is the music, perfectly setting the mood, scene after scene, alongside Thelma Schoonmaker's impeccable editing). Amidst these brutal surroundings, the director handles a spot-on cast: Baldwin, Sheen and Wahlberg (the latter finally back on form) make good use of their little screen time, Damon fine-tunes the edgier side he showed in The Talented Mr Ripley and the Bourne movies, and Nicholson, playing the villain again at last, delivers another OTT but classy turn (original choice Robert De Niro would probably have played the part with more calm and subtlety). A special mention is needed for Di Caprio: working with Scorsese for the third consecutive time, he has finally found a way to shake off his Titanic image, thanks to a vulnerable, gripping (and arguably career-best) performance. With its clever plot, excellent acting and expert direction, The Departed is without doubt the year's best film so far. If this really is going to be his last gangster film (he has said so), as well as his last studio-endorsed picture, Scorsese can be proud, given the masterpiece he has given us.
R**T
Better every time
I think this is a must own for any Scorcese fan, and anyone who loves crime dramas. Full of great actors and great performances. Unofficial story of Whitey Bulger, the Boston mafia crime boss. I truly think it gets better with every watch. And Vera Farmiga is so good in this I can’t believe she didn’t get a ton of leading rolls right after.
L**V
Such a good movie!
This movie is completely absorbing. It tells the tale of the Boston criminal Whitey Bulger - sort of. That's not his name in the movie, nor was it the outcome that Mr. Bulger deserved. You really feel for the characters, both undercover (Leo) and within the police force (Martin Sheen). I never care for Mark Wahlberg but he's good in this movie. Nicholson as always, gives a great performance and he is a completely menacing, frightening guy. There is violence so if you're really sensitive you might want to skip. The score is also great, not intrusive but memorable.
N**M
Great movie -- great cast and captivating story!
Classic movie, with a great cast and captivating story!
M**R
good movie
good movie
A**Y
Great movie with lots of twists and turns. Epic ending!
The ending, that you Never saw coming, is worth the price of admission, alone.
J**S
Great DVD
Great DVD to add to our collection. It arrived safely and played great in our DVD player.
D**N
In Praise of Scorsese
The blurb for "The Departed" states that this is director Martin Scorsese's best effort since "Goodfellas". Excuse, Me! Since Goodfellas Scorsese's output includes "Cape Fear" (1991), "The Age of Innocence" (1993), "Casino"(1995), "Kundun" (1997), "Bringing Out the Dead" (1999), "Gangs of New York" (2002), and "The Aviator"(1994). Not a stinker in the bunch. In my personal opinion Scorsese probably deserved the Best Picture Oscar on at least six occasions: "Mean Streets" (1973);"The Sting" won, "Taxi Driver (1976);"Rocky" won, "Raging Bull" (1980);"Ordinary People" won, "The King of Comedy" (1983);"Terms of Endearment won, "Goodfellas"(1990);"Dances with Wolves" won, and "The Aviator" (1994);"Million Dollar Baby" won. Five actors have taken home gold from Scorsese films: Ellen Burstyn, "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"(1974), Robert DeNiro, "Raging Bull" (1980), Paul Newman, "The Color of Money" (1986), Joe Pesci, "Goodfellas"(1990), and Cate Blanchett, "The Aviator" (1994). Put this in perspective, Steven Spielberg who some consider America's finest director never delivered an Oscar for any of his actors. The highest compliment that can be paid to Scorsese is that Daniel Day-Lewis came out of his self-imposed sabbatical to appear in "Gangs of New York". So now Scorsese has joined the Avildsens and Costners with a best director Oscar. When Marty won it was kind of a bittersweet moment. For sure it was a long time coming. "The Departed" was most certainly the best film of the nominated five, though I have a soft spot for "Little Miss Sunshine". In my mind, though, the best picture of 2006 was "Pan's Labyrinth". "The Departed" to me didn't hold up to Scorsese's stringent standards. One quibble I had was Scorsese's use of rock music that in previous films acted as a Greek Chorus to the action on screen. Here this same device added nothing to the film. Maybe Sorsese should have enlisted Robby Robertson for his input. Also, the film's content didn't seem to justify it's running time. Those reservations aside the film's main strengths were William Monahan's adaptation of "Infernal Affairs" and the superb ensemble cast. Monahan took the basic plot from the Hong Kong thriller and fleshed out the characters and added new and intriguing twists to the story. Much has been made of the actors on hand but I'd like to cite Matt Damon for particular praise. His sleazy cop is a work of great subtlety and nuance. Check Damon out in Robert DeNiro's "The Good Shepherd" where his understated work brings to mind Gene Hackman in "The Conversation". I guess I'll just conclude by saying justice was finally served but it was too long coming.
C**O
Non recensisco la trama del film, vista la fama che ha e anche perché l'ho acquistato per inserirlo nei miei preferiti di Leonardo DiCaprio. Un cast eccellente, con DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg e Martin Sheen. Il tutto arricchito dalla regia del grande Martin Scorsese. Di fatto il film ha vinto l'Oscar per miglior regia, miglior film, miglior montaggio e sceneggiatura non originale. Un gran bel film. Per quanto riguarda il venditore, ha eseguito la spedizione in totale tranquillità e normalità, rispettando le tempistiche. Il resto è OK
G**S
100 % OK Goede verzending van besteld item beantwoorde volledig aan de beschrijving van de verkoper ( uiterst tevreden ) :-):-):-)
F**R
Such a good movie
A**R
I got this in a fantastic price of 299 in amazon. A fantastic product and a very good service by amazon. Well, one of Martin Scorsese's best motion picture. Leonardo Dicaprio, Jack Nicholson & Matt Damon, this makes a whole awesome combination altogether. A must watch.
S**O
Llegó bien protegido, sin daños y con un bonito slipcover. La imagen es muy buena, ganado puntos extras en nitidez y saturación del color, así como el brillo y la profundidad de los negros. El audio en inglés DTS-HD MA 5.1 es muy bueno y potente, sin presentar artefactos o ruido de fondo. También trae español latino Dolby Digital 2.0 y subtítulos en ambos idiomas. El código digital es válido para USA.
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