alexandral | The Departed + Blood Diamond

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The Departed + Blood Diamond

The Departed Or "A film that made Alexandra change her mind about Leonardo Dicaprio"

As much as I still can't quite understand why an Academy Award was given to a remake I want to say that this film had a huge impact on me. Martin Scorsese's films were always something of "I admire the way it is made but it doesn't make my heart beat faster and it doesn't make me cry" category up to "The Departed". Oh, it all has changed. I was crying and I was clutching Mr.Alexander's hand and I was laughing. And all this considering I already knew the ending. :D

- I had some small squibbles, mostly to do with the ending. I preferred the open ending of the original film "Infernal Affairs" where Sullivan (Lau Kin Ming) is left to live with himself and where he is destroyed by his own conscience and madness at the end.. In "The Departed" a character of Sgt. Sean Dignam was seemingly invented for the only purpose of killing Sullivan at the end. This to say, Mark Wahlberg was awesome beyond anything as Dignam. But still – what is it with the open endings? Why Hollywood films never have them?

Oh, but this is really quite a small squibble because of course I was glad to see Sullivan die (die, die! You bastard!) and everything else was so wonderful:

+ There were essential, Scorsese's alone elements of beautiful complexity and manly world of men that don't tell anyone about their feelings.

+ I liked film's cinematography with it's minimalism, it's steely blues and elegant greys.

+ I am converted into a crazy Leonardo DiCaprio fan because he was amazing as Billy. He also strongly resembled Tony Leung's Chan Wing Yan from "Infernal Affairs". Oh, he did wreak my heart and my guts with his vulnerability! I couldn't help but feel angry with Queenan and Dignam for what they did to him. And I am confused why DiCaprio was nominated for Oscar in his role in "Blood Diamond" rather then in "The Departed".

+ Jack Nicholson is the best

My favourite scenes:
Capt. George Ellerby vs Sgt. Sean Dignam:
Ellerby: Go f* yourself.
Dignam: I'm tired from f* your wife.

Billy and Madolyn:
Billy: Do you lie
Madolyn: Honesty is not synonymous with truth
Billy: Yea, you lie..Is it to do some good, to get somewhere personally or what.. just for the f** of it?
Madolyn: I expect that some people do it to keep things on an even keel.
Billy: So you had a parent who was a drunk..

Billy and Madolyn:
Madolyn: I have to say your vulnerability is really freaking me out right now. Is it real?
Billy: I think so

Billy and Frank Costello:
Frank Costello: [slams a fly on the table] You know what I like about restaurants?
Billy Costigan: The f** food. I don't know, what?
Frank Costello: You can learn a lot, watching things eat

Billy and Madolyn: Hair ruffling scene. I was crying here

PS: I watched these scenes about 10 times each. :D

On a wave of my new interest to Leonardo DiCaprio I re-watched "Blood Diamond"

Blood Diamond
It isn't a bad film and it definitely strives for a great idea. But as much as I think something MUST BE DONE about the diamond trade I can't say I liked the film wholeheartedly. Is it possible to wholly uphold the idea that is behind a film and not like the film itself? This is my dilemma with "Blood Diamond".

Almost straight away I felt manipulated as some of the details of the diamond trade were omitted or mentioned in passing. In the film we are shown the horrors of the blood diamond market and the suffering of the African people. But the main problem I see with the diamond trade is that it is a monopoly where De Beers companies control the market. There are reports about appalling conditions in their mines where they still refuse to use dust-suppression methods. So even when a diamond is coming from a legitimate source this still means the suffering of the African workers and their low pay. And there are serious criticisms that "Clean Diamond Trade Act" and the Kimberley Process are helping in maintaining of the monopoly on the diamond market by De Beers.

I was also very surprised that we are still not over "a nice white American journalist will come on a great white horse and sort all the problems of the people in Africa" idea. Yes, white people should feel responsible for what is happening in Africa because the root of all evil is really in the hundreds of years of slavery. And I don't see any way forward here yet but may be the first thing we should do is to let the people in Africa decide their problems..This absolutely doesn't mean that we shouldn't help. (I apologise for the opinionated nature of this paragragh).

(All this said – Leonardo DiCaprio was fantabulous as Danny Archer.)

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Hee! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :) I remember you were slightly unconvinced (http://koalathebear.livejournal.com/660935.html) when I did my post on it :)

I also was surprised at how much I liked Blood Diamond as well. :)

Here is me eating my hat! Dicaprio is a fabulous actor. I think my problem was that I don't find him particular attractive so it took me a while to look at him through his acting talents. :D But I am consuming his films as crazy (I am on "Catch me if you can" and I MUST say - he can act!!!

I liked "Blood Diamond" as an idea.. But at the same time it irked me quite a great deal that it is still a common view that African people can only be saved by the white people.

But at the same time it irked me quite a great deal that it is still a common view that African people can only be saved by the white people.

I think that's why I thought "The Constant Gardener" was so great - because it's actually about how white people fail to save African people. (And because it was really beautifully acted and sad and powerful.)

Also, I might have mentioned this before, but someday you should see "Sometimes in April" which is about the Rwandan genocide - and Idris Elba is magnificent in it!

I think that's why I thought "The Constant Gardener" was so great - because it's actually about how white people fail to save African people. (And because it was really beautifully acted and sad and powerful.)

Oh, I haven't seen "Constant Gardener" yet, but I must. I was really impressed by "The last king of Scotland". There is a moment there when Idi Admin tells Nicholas "You came to Africa to play the white man. But we aren't a game. We're real. This room is real." I know few refugees from problematic African countries (Uganda, Angola) and this can sum up my feelings when talking to them.

I was also surprised that the only problem mentioned in "Blood Diamond" was the blood diamond trade where the diamond market is controlled by De Beers..

Also, I might have mentioned this before, but someday you should see "Sometimes in April" which is about the Rwandan genocide - and Idris Elba is magnificent in it!

You did indeed! I'll try to find it!

I always want to dislike DiCaprio. I'm not entirely sure why. Possibly because I liked Titanic for it's pretty-ness, but not so much for the acting. Possibly because he made some comment about whales once when he meant manatees or something like it that is very petty of me. Possibly because I think he looks too young for some of the parts he plays (which is why I've yet to see The Aviator).

But! This is very ridiculous attempt on my part because I have loved almost every movie I've seen him in. Especially his more recent films. He's freaking fantastic, even if I hate to say it. Blood Diamond and The Departed are definitely my favorites of his films (along with Gilber Grape, of course). I was disappointed in the story for Departed because (wtf!) he gets dead and it's *pointless* and it pissed me off so much, but his character is so beautiful. Emotionally. That bit where she says his vulnerability is freaking her out? Yes, very much so. He was so lovely and did not deserve to be dead.

Blood Diamond was a great character, too. I don't mind so much that he died. It was a pivotal moment for his character! Not pointless at all!

Anyway, yes, I'm rambling. :)

I always want to dislike DiCaprio. I'm not entirely sure why. Possibly because I liked Titanic for it's pretty-ness, but not so much for the acting.

I am not keen of "Titanic" and this is where probably my feelings about DiCaprio started. It is pretty and has good special effects but it is pretty pointless. I think it is one of the worst Oscar of all times..

But! This is very ridiculous attempt on my part because I have loved almost every movie I've seen him in. Especially his more recent films. He's freaking fantastic, even if I hate to say it.

Oh, my! I absolutely agree.. I only watched "The Departed" because Mr.Alexander was in a mood to watch something and he likes Scorsese but by the time "his vulnerability is freaking her out" scene came along I was crying as a baby. I watched that scene so many times and the moment where he goes all raspy but soft and says something about the photograph is just wonderful. The guy is marvelous and he is so different and no less marvelous in "Blood Diamond"

He was so lovely and did not deserve to be dead.

He was, wasn't he? I can see the point of the ending more in the Hong Kong original film, "Infenal Affairs". It is pretty much a normal Asian ending, they still produce the bad endings.
Have you seen "Infernal Affairs"? There Sullivan's character doesn't die and it all ends on the point of Costigan's funeral. There it is all about how Sullivan was pretending to be a policeman and how he really wanted to be the guy he was pretending to be and how even at Costigan's funeral he is thinking that he would rather be Costigan then himself. Where Costigan just wanted his life back and he got it at the end, he was the real winner even though Sullivan won.
It has a little less point in "The Departed" where Sullivan dies too.

Blood Diamond was a great character, too. I don't mind so much that he died. It was a pivotal moment for his character! Not pointless at all!

I agree. He served the purpose to help Solomon and his son and it would have been much less believable if they all were saved. Also Danny belonged to Africa.

And EEEEE! To rambling! I love a discussion!

Heee. I love Marky Mark! Also, there are few open endings because Americans are a)stupid, or b)have short attention spans and need closure.

I agreed about 'Blood Diamond' in many ways: while I'm not the hugest DiCaprio fan, he was great in 'The Departed' and this film. But at the same time, I found it kind of annoying that all of the African suffering is... a way to redeem DiCaprio's character. Djimon Honsou's character is far less complex than DiCaprio's, and that bugged. Augh.

Heee. I love Marky Mark!

He seems to have gotten an Oscar for this?

Also, there are few open endings because Americans are a)stupid, or b)have short attention spans and need closure.

He-he! I thought something like this. Russian films ALL have open endings (when they don't have most terrible endings of course).

But at the same time, I found it kind of annoying that all of the African suffering is... a way to redeem DiCaprio's character. Djimon Honsou's character is far less complex than DiCaprio's, and that bugged. Augh.

I quite liked the point about Danny's character. He was for me an essential part of Africa – "a white boy in Africa" as he calls himself. There are white people who were born in Africa and they really have a word to say on the situation. Even though their parents were colonialists it is not their fault that they are born in Africa. But as you I was surprised to see Danny all complex, interesting and resourceful and Solomon a guy who couldn't really make a step without Danny's help. IN HIS OWN ENVIRONMENT! ** eye roll **

But I was particular irked by the journalist character, a person "who changed Danny's life forever", by "the power of love", no less ( I am so sorry for my bitterness :D).

quite liked the point about Danny's character. He was for me an essential part of Africa – "a white boy in Africa" as he calls himself. There are white people who were born in Africa and they really have a word to say on the situation. Even though their parents were colonialists it is not their fault that they are born in Africa. But as you I was surprised to see Danny all complex, interesting and resourceful and Solomon a guy who couldn't really make a step without Danny's help. IN HIS OWN ENVIRONMENT! ** eye roll **

Yes--I thought it was refreshing to have the "white African" perspective on things, and interesting. That said, the movie then lost all cred with it's black African. And white reporter. I share your eyerolls and bitterness! :D

That said, the movie then lost all cred with it's black African

On this note, I thought that it could have been a better ending if Solomon and his family went back to Africa. There was a strange feeling that his "happy ending" was leaving Africa and living in London as refugee.

But considering the area they were from was Sierra Leone, I would definitely imagine any sane person would prefer Western Europe to live in. Just because a place is where you are born, doesn't mean you always have to stay there is life is better elsewhere.

Oh, definitely! I am not judging him in any way. You see, the film happened to be about the problems in Sierra-Leone region and I find it hardly a resolution that people living there should be escaping to the Western countries (this said, I am glad they are finding peace in these countries). But it is more important to make life peaceful and safe in African countries then give African people welcome in the Western countries..
..
But even more, I don't find it a resolution (and this is my big bee-in-a-bonnet) that it always have to be BIG WHITE people coming to Africa to make things better. Big white people were doing nothing but wreak a chaos in Africa up to now (I am sorry for dramatizing). The problems in Africa can't be decided by the white people from America.

Re: not being able to make a step without him. Well, I have lived where I live for a long time, but if I were in a war/insurrection situation, I'd definitely be lost without a military person around :)

Oh, I just was projecting my knowledge of some of the African refugees I know. The majority of them are very resourceful people used to living in the African bush, finding their way, etc.. etc...

And I am so sorry – I think I could have liked the film much better if it was just an action flick and didn't try to make a point. For me there are different "planks" when film tries to make a point, when they try to give solutions, etc..

And EEEEE! To opinions!!!

Yes, that's such a good point about the ending!

I am generally more forgiving with films that don't pretend to be anything, though :D

ohhhhhhhhh!!! i just had to say that. i got all excited when i saw your post. ;)

The Departed was realllyyyy good. of course not as much as we love Infernal Affairs, but i was surprised on how much i liked it, considering how skeptical i was!

After watching Blood Diamond, i just have this huge resistance over diamonds. even if its gone through the Kimberly process or what not. and i also loved leonardo dicaprio here. he was awesome!

The Departed was realllyyyy good. of course not as much as we love Infernal Affairs, but i was surprised on how much i liked it, considering how skeptical i was!

I think for me they are quite equal. I watched "Infernal Affairs" so it is my "first" choice. But I don't know if this was the same if I saw "The Departed" first..

After watching Blood Diamond, i just have this huge resistance over diamonds. even if its gone through the Kimberly process or what not.

I agree – when I started reading about appalling conditions in the diamond mines, about the dust that cuts workers' lungs etc. it made me really think if I should be supporting this trade with my own money. Kimberley process is criticised for helping the monopolisation process..

I have always loved gem stones and I am very interested in their history but I am more into semi-precious stones and things I can buy in Russia; they have their own production there and their own diamonds..

Since I also was familiar with Infernal Affairs I wasn't able to fully enjoy The Departed since I already knew the major plot twists (slight changes notwithstanding). Though that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy The Departed.
To quote what I wrote as a comment some time ago: To me IA was more about style and visuals, where Departed is more about the characters and dialogue. And for me the (crime and police) bosses were equally important as the moles in IA. In The Departed Jack Nicholson still played a major role but I thought that Martin Sheen was underused and the emphasis is clearly on the moles.

The dialogue lines they gave Marky Mark were really great and he delivered them well. It was certainly a great addition to the movie. And to answer your question in a comment thread above he was just nominated for a supporting Oscar, but he didn't win.

A lot of people were surprised that DiCaprio got nominated for Blood Diamond and not for The Departed. Ah well, the strange ways of the Academy. ;)

Haven't seen Blood Diamond. Jennifer Connelly wasn't enough to motivate me to watch it at the theatre ;). On TV in a couple of months.

To quote what I wrote as a comment some time ago: To me IA was more about style and visuals, where Departed is more about the characters and dialogue.

Oh, this is interesting! I was discussing "The Departed" to death at work yesterday and can agree with some of the critics that noted that "The Departed" has lost quite a great deal of the complexity that was in IA.. I didn't notice this at first but I agree now – many things don't get explained in IA but are perceived as some background info (in this reminding some of the things in "Children of Men"). Things get explained in more direct manner in "The Departed". For example, there is a background story with Chan Wing Yan's former girlfriend and his child. This was replaced by the story of Billy's mother which is longer and more direct example of his loneliness.

But for me, I had a very strange feeling about these two films – I felt that they were really similar in their "spirit" and though they happened to be set in two completely different places they were like twins. :D This is why I am still surprised about the Oscar – even though "The Departed" is a great film it is hasn't done anything original..

but I thought that Martin Sheen was underused and the emphasis is clearly on the moles.

This is one of the things my friends noted as well- that the police chief character was much stronger in IA. I was also a little disappointed in Matt Damon's character. Andy Lau was somehow more complex and intense and not as clear "villain" as Matt was. But again, Leonardo DiCaprio was AWESOME.

Haven't seen Blood Diamond. Jennifer Connelly wasn't enough to motivate me to watch it at the theatre ;). On TV in a couple of months.

I wonder what you will think – you have a different perspective on this. :D

Ah yes, I forgot to mention this, I also thought it's strange to award an Oscar to a remake (especially since they copied a lot of the scenes in the second half very closely) but I think it was mainly a "political" decision. The Academy embarrassed themselves long enough by not giving one to Scorsese so they finally remedied that. And since there weren't any other movies that year that deserved it more they gave him one for the remake. And in this case I don't really mind. The decisions often are kind of strange and now that Scorsese finally has one we can sort of move on.
I don't know if you've seen the ceremony this year, but the whole audience erupted when they announced the winner, I think there would've been a riot if someone else would've won. :D

I am aslo very happy Scorsese received the Oscar - I think there was much controversy in 2005 when "Million dollar baby" (good but SO MELODRAMA) won over "The Aviator"( which I am yet to see now that I am interested in Leonardo DiCaprio :D).

but the whole audience erupted when they announced the winner, I think there would've been a riot if someone else would've won. :D.

What I do find unfair (and no, I will not shut up about this :D) that it is not widely known that "The Departed" is a remake. Some of my friends were surprised when I told them about the existence of IA. And it is even more surprising as "Infernal Affrair" is not a small, obscure film but a very popular cult film in Asia.

I know what you mean. But at least on a relative basis I think that now a lot more people in the US and Europe know that there's another movie that The Departed was based on.
But adding insult to injury, I believe during the ceremony it was at one point mentioned that it's a remake of a Japanese movie. That certainy didn't improve the image of the US film academy. :)

I didn't like Million Dollar Baby at all. Especially relative to the fact that it won so many Oscars. It seemed so calculated and by the numbers. And too melodramatic for my personal taste.

DiCaprio is also fantabulous in The Aviator. ;)

But adding insult to injury, I believe during the ceremony it was at one point mentioned that it's a remake of a Japanese movie. That certainy didn't improve the image of the US film academy.

** Eye roll ** Of course, Japan and Hong Kong are the same!

I didn't like Million Dollar Baby at all. Especially relative to the fact that it won so many Oscars. It seemed so calculated and by the numbers. And too melodramatic for my personal taste.

It was melodramatic even for my melodramatically inclined tastes. :D But how about Hilary Swank? She was quite exceptional ..

DiCaprio is also fantabulous in The Aviator. ;)

Hee! Oh, he must be good if even you think so. :D

I loved The Departed so much, and I definitely changed my mind about Leonardo di Caprio as an actor by watching it; I found him emotional and believable, I think this will always be one of my favourite movies ever.
And this scene:
Madolyn: I have to say your vulnerability is really freaking me out right now. Is it real?
Billy: I think so
made me cry and feel so emotional, too. It was so touching, seriously. THe whole story of diCaprio's character was touching, because by following his steps and his fears it was like I could feel what we felt, his performance deserved a prize, I guess.

I can't remember who were the characters, but I remember a scene like that:
I'm the guy doing my job. You must be the other one!
and it was GREAT!!

I haven't read what you wrote about Blood Diamond because I haven't had the chance to watch it yet and I don't want any spoiler ;)

I loved The Departed so much, and I definitely changed my mind about Leonardo di Caprio as an actor by watching it; I found him emotional and believable, I think this will always be one of my favourite movies ever.

I have re-watched certain scenes countless times! It is a great film and DiCaprio is amazing, amazing actor! I remember how you were raving about this film!

THe whole story of diCaprio's character was touching, because by following his steps and his fears it was like I could feel what we felt, his performance deserved a prize, I guess.

I absolutely agree- he was really good at showing the internal world of Billy..

I can't remember who were the characters, but I remember a scene like that:
I'm the guy doing my job. You must be the other one!
and it was GREAT!!

EEEEEE! It is, isn't it? It was one of Sgt. Dignam' s comments, I am sure :D

It was one of Sgt. Dignam' s comments, I am sure
ahhh sure! How could I forget? That's the best quote of the movie :D

He had all the best ones!

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The Departed + Blood Diamond

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