The Departed

[Nienna]

My husband really wanted to see this movie, as he is a big fan of both Jack Nicholson and Matt Damon. He has sat through quite a few romantic comedies, so last night, it was my turn to watch violence and blood.

I thought it wouldn't be that bad, because my MOM, who is even more of a wimp than I am, said it was interesting. Yeah... the plot was interesting, and bloody, if you like that (Blech!) The ending was unexpected, but even my husband was disappointed in it. There was no POINT to it. Just all this violence and blood and adrenaline build-up, and then it was just over. Period.

This is a problem with a lot of stuff that comes out of Hollywood, IMO. Violent things DO happen, and sometimes they are senseless in real life. But if I am going to a movie, I want to be entertained, not discouraged about the meaning of life. There was no greater truth in this movie; even the tragic elements were robbed of meaning.

Thumbs down from me.

[Mr. P]

I'll be watching this tonight.

I saw Flags of our Fathers last night.

[manu1959]

the departed was brilliant.....loved it....

There was no POINT to it. Just all this adrenaline build-up, and then it was just over. Period.

kinda like sex?

[Mr. P]

the departed was brilliant.....loved it....

There was no POINT to it. Just all this adrenaline build-up, and then it was just over. Period.

kinda like sex?

Crap! Any cuddling after?

[Dilloduck]

Musky board today !! What have y'al been doing while I was gone ???

[Abbey Marie]

the departed was brilliant.....loved it....

There was no POINT to it. Just all this adrenaline build-up, and then it was just over. Period.

kinda like sex?

Not necessarily. In nine months, we could have The Departed Junior.

[Abbey Marie]

..
This is a problem with a lot of stuff that comes out of Hollywood, IMO. Violent things DO happen, and sometimes they are senseless in real life. But if I am going to a movie, I want to be entertained, not discouraged about the meaning of life. There was no greater truth in this movie; even the tragic elements were robbed of meaning.
...

I havent see The Departed, but I completely agree with the quoted paragraph, Nienna. I remember years ago watching Leaving Las Vegas, about an unreedemably alcoholic Nicholas Cage, and feeling exactly as you've described.

[Mr. P]

Some movies should be about reality, IMO. Kinda like watching PBS opposed to the networks.

I'll let ya know what I think after I see it tonight.

[Nienna]

I havent see The Departed, but I completely agree with the quoted paragraph, Nienna. I remember years ago watching Leaving Las Vegas, about an unreedemably alcoholic Nicholas Cage, and feeling exactly as you've described.

Abbey, I HATED that movie. That was probably the most hopeless movie I have ever seen, and people described it as "deep" and "moving." It was hollow and empty to me. Were we supposed to feel sorry for him? He made his own choices. Yet, it left the impression that he was destined to follow that path, that there was no real hope, and he (and Elisabeth Shue's character) were somehow pitiable.

If they were pitiable, they would have been in circumstances beyond their control. They turned aside the hope that comes with discipline, yet expected pity? I just don't get it, and I don't get how it could be considered "deep." It was shallow and depressing to me.

[Abbey Marie]

Abbey, I HATED that movie. That was probably the most hopeless movie I have ever seen, and people described it as "deep" and "moving." It was hollow and empty to me. Were we supposed to feel sorry for him? He made his own choices. Yet, it left the impression that he was destined to follow that path, that there was no real hope, and he (and Elisabeth Shue's character) were somehow pitiable.

If they were pitiable, they would have been in circumstances beyond their control. They turned aside the hope that comes with discipline, yet expected pity? I just don't get it, and I don't get how it could be considered "deep." It was shallow and depressing to me.

AMEN, sistah! I couldn't possibly say anything better than what you've written. I know people say this all the time, but I REALLY wish I could have those two hours of my life back.

Did you see AI? I felt similarly at the end of that one.

[Dilloduck]

I havent see The Departed, but I completely agree with the quoted paragraph, Nienna. I remember years ago watching Leaving Las Vegas, about an unreedemably alcoholic Nicholas Cage, and feeling exactly as you've described.

I felt that way about LOST IN TRANSLATION. BORING !!!!!!!

[Abbey Marie]

I felt that way about LOST IN TRANSLATION. BORING !!!!!!!

But, but, what did Scarlett Johansson whisper in Bill Murray's ear?

[Dilloduck]

But, but, what did Scarlett Johansson whisper in Bill Murray's ear?

frankly my dear--I didn't give a damn !

[Abbey Marie]

frankly my dear--I didn't give a damn !

Exackerry!

[dan]

I thought The Departed was great, definitely deserving of all the awards it got. If you pay close attention to the plot, it's set up exactly like a classic Shakespearean five-act tragedy. You could reasonably say that Romeo & Juliet or Hamlet had no point and were just depressing, no?

As for Leaving Las Vegas, I think it was a great portrayal of a man wanting to die but not having the guts to just commit suicide. I'm not sure if you know it, but the book it's based on was an autobiography, so it was a true-life story. Not entertaining, per se, but I thought it was moving.

The Departed was typical crime drama fare. You had to have at least some idea what you were getting into, its no bleaker than Goodfellas or Casino.