In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for The Departed, we delve into the significance of the film’s title.
Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio – Trooper William “Billy” Costigan Jr.
- Matt Damon – Staff Sergeant Colin Sullivan
- Jack Nicholson – Frank Costello
- Mark Wahlberg – Staff Sergeant Sean Dignam
- Martin Sheen – Captain Oliver “Charlie” Queenan
- Ray Winstone – Arnold “Frenchie” French
- Vera Farmiga – Dr. Madolyn Madden
- Alec Baldwin – Captain George Ellerby
- Anthony Anderson – Trooper Brown
- Kevin Corrigan as Sean Costigan
- James Badge Dale as Trooper Barrigan
- David O’Hara as Patrick “Fitzy” Fitzgibbons
- Mark Rolston as Timothy Delahunt
- Robert Wahlberg as FBI Special Agent Frank Lazio
- Amenda Lynch as Carmen
- Kristen Dalton as Gwen
- Shay Duffin as Phil
- William Monohan – Writer
- Martin Scorsese – Director
Why is the movie called The Departed?
At first glance, title of the film appears to refer to those who have died, which aligns with the movie’s high body count. However, digging deeper, the title takes on a multi-layered significance that goes beyond physical departure. It encompasses a variety of metaphysical departures experienced by the characters.
One crucial interpretation of the title relates to the departure from self, as the main characters, Sullivan and Costigan, are forced to abandon their true identities to survive in their dual lives. Both characters are “departed” from their authentic selves, living a lie to serve their respective loyalties. They wear masks, not just to deceive others, but to escape the unbearable truth of their own duplicity. Their departures from self are not temporary disguises, but permanent transformations that leave them stranded in a no-man’s land between who they were and who they pretend to be.
The title also signifies a departure from morality. In the world of The Departed, traditional moral boundaries are blurred, and the line between good and evil is not clearly demarcated. Characters constantly depart from the moral code, justifying their actions under the pretext of duty, survival, or simply the thrill of deception. This departure from morality is not confined to the criminals, but extends to the law enforcement officials as well, creating a moral ambiguity that pervades the film.
Another profound departure is from loyalty, a central theme of the movie. The characters are constantly shifting their allegiances, betraying their own to protect their secrets or to gain an advantage. This departure from loyalty breeds an atmosphere of distrust and tension that underscores the narrative. This aesthetic highlights the fickle nature of loyalty in a world where survival is uncertain, and the price of loyalty can often be life itself.
The Departed also refers to a departure from hope and redemption. The narrative doesn’t offer the characters a chance at redemption, or the possibility of a better life. Their fates are sealed by their choices and actions, and in the end, they are left with the harsh reality of their world—one devoid of hope. This departure from hope is a stark reminder of the consequences of their choices and the inevitable downfall of living a life of deception and duplicity.
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