Films › Martin Scorsese

The Departed (2006)

Film

DirectorMartin Scorsese

Meta takes5

Figures

Characters

The character of Frank Costello and his philosophy → The Enterprise of the Self

Objects & symbols

The recurring use of the Dropkick Murphys' song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston"
The pervasive sense of paranoia and imminent doom, exemplified by the 'rat' motif

Locations

The film's depiction of Boston as a city of segregated spaces (South Boston vs. Beacon Hill) → Cinematic Psychogeography

Form & technique

The film's narrative structure as an adaptation of Infernal Affairs

Tropes

The film's nihilistic ending and pervasive violence → The Unspeakable Void
The competing masculinities of Billy Costigan and Colin Sullivan → Homosocial Desire
The characters' constant, anxious performance of toughness → Performative Masculinity

Films most connected to The Departed

Frances Ha (2012) — via Homosocial Desire, Cinematic Psychogeography
The Lighthouse (?) — via Homosocial Desire, The Unspeakable Void
Marriage Story (2019) — via The Enterprise of the Self, Cinematic Psychogeography
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) — via Homosocial Desire, The Enterprise of the Self
Superbad (2007) — via Homosocial Desire, The Enterprise of the Self
Batman Begins (2005) — via Performative Masculinity
La Haine (1995) — via Performative Masculinity
Beau Travail (1999) — via Performative Masculinity