Is “The Departed” a Masterpiece In The Crime Film Genre?

2006’s “The Departed” stands out among acclaimed director Martin Scorsese’s body of work for its gritty portrayal of police work, crime, and the accompanying trail of gore. To be fair, Scorsese has always been associated with no-holds-barred detective/crime-thriller films, with a resume that includes “Goodfellas,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and the classic “Taxi Driver.”

“The Departed” got Scorsese his first Best Picture Oscar award, and critics and fans agree that it was well-deserved. However, the main issue some have with the film is that it is but an adaptation of another film: 2002 Hong Kong film “Infernal Affairs.” Purists have called the Scorsese version as a shade of the original, especially in terms of cinematic style and plot development.

Image source: engadget.com

Nonetheless, what “The Departed” had that the original didn’t is that distinct Scorsese style and directorial treatment. From panoramic transitions and jump cuts to the unabashed gore and blood and various plot twists, the film lived up to the unflinching Scorsese standard.

Also, the actors truly stood out. Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, and Leonardo DiCaprio had some of their most stellar and a guns-ablazing performances. Mark Wahlberg was actually nominated as a supporting actor, while Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin were convincing and well-casted.

Image source: boston.curbed.com

All in all, very few crime thrillers can match the atmosphere or ambiance of Scorsese’s flicks, and “The Departed” managed to rework the plot of the original to make it distinctly the director’s own masterpiece.

My name is Adam Smith, a retired banker currently vacationing in Paris. I like writing about detective films and cop shows. For related reads, visit this blog.