AHK Cinema · Movie Review
The Departed
2006 Dir. Martin Scorsese 151 minBest for CEFR C1
The Departed is a gripping crime drama that delves into the world of undercover policing and organized crime. With its complex characters and layered storyline, this film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Things You Didn't Know
6 hidden details
1
Martin Scorsese's Inspiration
Martin Scorsese was inspired by the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. He wanted to recreate the story in a Boston setting, drawing from his own experiences growing up in an Italian-American community. The film's success earned Scorsese his first Oscar for Best Director.
2
Leonardo DiCaprio's Preparation
To prepare for his role, Leonardo DiCaprio spent time with undercover police officers, learning about their experiences and the challenges they face. He also worked on perfecting his Boston accent, which added to the authenticity of his character.
3
Jack Nicholson's Character
Jack Nicholson's character, Frank Costello, was inspired by the real-life Boston crime boss Whitey Bulger. Nicholson's portrayal brought depth and complexity to the role, making Costello a compelling and intimidating figure.
4
The Film's Budget
The Departed had a budget of around $90 million. Despite this, the film went on to gross over $290 million worldwide, making it a commercial success. The budget was used effectively to create a gritty, realistic portrayal of Boston's streets and the world of organized crime.
5
Awards and Nominations
The Departed received widespread critical acclaim, earning five Academy Award nominations and winning four, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film also won several Golden Globe Awards, cementing its place as one of the best films of 2006.
6
Casting Choices
The casting process for The Departed involved several notable actors. Matt Damon was cast as Colin Sullivan, the mole within the police department, while Mark Wahlberg played the role of Dignam, a tough and outspoken police officer. The cast's performances were widely praised, with many considering it one of the best ensemble casts in recent memory.
The Takeaway
The Departed teaches viewers about the complexities of loyalty and deception, and the blurred lines between good and evil. For learners, it's a great opportunity to improve their listening skills, especially with different accents. I recommend watching the scene where Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) first meets Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) with subtitles to get a feel for the Boston accent and slang.
The Learning Pack
Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.
Vocabulary, idioms, cultural context, and one scene broken down for shadowing practice.
Vocabulary (16)
infiltrate
earlyto secretly become part of a group or organization
"The police sent an undercover agent to infiltrate the gang."
syndicate
middlea group of people or companies working together for a common purpose
"The crime syndicate controlled much of the city's underworld."
mole
latea person who secretly works for an enemy or rival group
"The police department had a mole who was feeding information to the criminals."
curry favor
middleto try to win someone's approval or support
"The new employee tried to curry favor with the boss by doing extra work."
kingpin
middlea person who controls or dominates a particular activity or group
"The kingpin of the crime syndicate was arrested and charged with multiple crimes."
career criminal
earlya person who has committed many crimes and makes a living from criminal activity
"The career criminal was finally caught and sentenced to life in prison."
underworld
earlythe part of a society that is involved in illegal activities
"The police were trying to clean up the city's underworld."
ranks
middlea position or level in a hierarchy or organization
"The police officer rose through the ranks to become a captain."
discover
lateto find out or learn something new
"The police discovered that there was a mole within their department."
infiltration
latethe act of secretly entering or becoming part of a group or organization
"The infiltration of the crime syndicate was a major success for the police."
loyalty
middlethe state of being loyal
"The employee's loyalty to the company was rewarded with a promotion."
deception
middlethe act of deceiving someone
"The deception of the public by the company's advertising was uncovered by a journalist."
identity
latethe state of being a particular person or thing
"The identity of the whistleblower was protected by the media."
nuance
middlea subtle difference or shade of meaning
"The nuance of the actor's performance was appreciated by the critics."
pacing
middlethe speed or rate at which something happens or is done
"The pacing of the film was well-balanced, with a good mix of action and dialogue."
accents
latea way of pronouncing words that is typical of a particular region or group of people
"The actor's accents in the film were very convincing."
Idioms & Expressions
to take down
to defeat or destroy someone or something
The police were trying to take down the crime syndicate.
to rise through the ranks
to move up to a higher position or level in a hierarchy or organization
The career criminal rose through the ranks to become a leader in the underworld.
to curry favor
to try to win someone's approval or support
The new employee tried to curry favor with the boss by doing extra work.
to discover
to find out or learn something new
The police discovered that there was a mole within their department.
to infiltrate
to secretly become part of a group or organization
The police sent an undercover agent to infiltrate the gang.
Cultural References
Boston accent
The Boston accent is a regional accent in the United States, characterized by a distinct pronunciation and vocabulary. It is often associated with the city of Boston and the surrounding area.
Irish-American culture
Irish-American culture refers to the customs, traditions, and values of people of Irish descent living in the United States. It is often associated with the city of Boston, which has a large Irish-American population.
organized crime
Organized crime refers to a group of people who work together to commit crimes, often using violence and intimidation to achieve their goals. It is a significant problem in many cities, including Boston.
undercover policing
Undercover policing refers to the practice of police officers disguising themselves as criminals in order to gather information and make arrests. It is a common tactic used by law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime.
Scene Breakdown for Shadowing
around 00:42:00
Billy Costigan: 'I'm gonna make a name for myself, and I'm gonna make some money.' Frank Costello: 'You're a smart kid, Billy. You've got a lot of potential.' Billy Costigan: 'Thanks, Mr. Costello.' Frank Costello: 'Just remember, loyalty is very important in our line of work.'
This scene is significant because it shows the beginning of Billy Costigan's infiltration of the crime syndicate. The vocabulary used in this scene, such as 'make a name for myself' and 'loyalty', is important for learners to understand. The idioms used, such as 'make some money', are also useful for learners to learn. The scene is also a good example of the Boston accent and the cultural references to Irish-American culture. Learners can practice shadowing by repeating the dialogue and trying to mimic the accents and intonation of the actors.
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