Just finding this channel, and man, I’ve watched this movie and dissected it more than 100 times and I still didn’t notice some of these details. Cop and a criminal facing a loaded gun hit way too hard. I’m subscribing!!!
This was a genuinely fascinating take on what remains one of my favourite films, and one that was full of interesting observations and nuanced analysis. However, I think your interpretation of the scene with him taking down the picture of Madeline could be tweaked a little (though this does touch on other themes raised in your video). The second part of the interaction is key. He removes the photo of her childhood (which shows a rural, poor upbringing), but then replaces it with one of her degrees ('Hey, we might have company'). Essentially, he wants to show off Madeline as further validation that he is moving up in the world, socially (if they had 'company', they'd not see her background, only that she is a qualified professional with multiple qualifications). That scene is more about Colin's ambition and desire to be accepted by a 'better class' of society - indeed, this is a key aspect of the character throughout. (1) Early on, Colin is shown gazing at the Massachusetts State House (MSH), indicating his desire to be part of that elite section of society - which is dismissed by his colleague ('Forget it. Your father was a janitor, his son's only a cop.') (2) When taking the lease on his fancy apartment, he is again shown looking at the MSH, and the real estate agent mentions that 'if you move in you're upper-class by Tuesday), then implies that Colin may not be able to afford it (which Colin is then shown to be visibly annoyed by - 'Just gimme the papers.') (3) When he is playing golf with his superior and is asked whether he has a girlfriend, the first thing Colin thinks to mention is that 'She's a doctor.' This further shows that this is the thing about her that matters the most to him - a feeling which is no doubt reinforced when Ellerby tells him that marriage is important 'to get ahead in life.') (4) Though Colin and Frank are shown to have something of a father-son relationship in some respects, this clearly doesn't mean much to Colin, who ultimately sells Frank out and then kills him in order to further his career. (5) In last scene, before entering his apartment he is shunned by two upper class older women. It is very unlikely that they would know of his police corruption, so they simply don't accept him as part of their world. (6) After being killed by Dignam, the last thing shown on screen is the MSH, symbolising how it was Colin's desire to chase that particular goal (upwards social mobility) that lead to his personal corruption and ultimate violent demise. Therefore, when looking at the scene where he removes the photograph, it is more about a larger theme within the movie of his failed quest for acceptance in higher society.
I also thought Colin was abused as a boy because he was shown as an altar boy and had no parents. Frank sees 2 priests eating and warns them about abusing children and that he runs the “bingo “
LOVE when Dignam serves up street justice on him.. always great seeing mother****ers getting what they’ve got coming to them. “Instant karma’s 🎼 gonna get you 🎶.. it’s alright 🎵… it’s alright”
The scenes that reference James Joyce and Shakespeare are a good way to support the point they’re trying to make. But in reality they don’t work. Academia is a significant part of Boston’s culture, while poetry and literature part of Irish culture. It would be different if the characters were Italians from Brooklyn who knew the James Joyce and Shakespeare quotes.
He's not gay. His insecurities are exposed throughout the film. Basically trying to be a "tough guy" when he's really just that scared kid from the start of the movie. Nothing has changed. He's just been manipulated by Costello.
The Departed is garbage compared to the Hong Kong Original Masterpiece known as Infernal Affairs. Infernal Affairs is a much better movie than The Departed. Infernal Affairs was subtle, beautiful, Tragic, and Brilliant. The Departed misses the point on what made Infernal Affairs, such a masterpiece Not surprising, considering that American Remakes of Foreign Movies are garbage! The Foreign Originals will always be superior!!!
This is one of my favorite villains in mob movie history. This video along with the one on Frank Castillo are linked.
Just finding this channel, and man, I’ve watched this movie and dissected it more than 100 times and I still didn’t notice some of these details. Cop and a criminal facing a loaded gun hit way too hard. I’m subscribing!!!
Great video on a great character.
This was a genuinely fascinating take on what remains one of my favourite films, and one that was full of interesting observations and nuanced analysis. However, I think your interpretation of the scene with him taking down the picture of Madeline could be tweaked a little (though this does touch on other themes raised in your video).
The second part of the interaction is key. He removes the photo of her childhood (which shows a rural, poor upbringing), but then replaces it with one of her degrees ('Hey, we might have company'). Essentially, he wants to show off Madeline as further validation that he is moving up in the world, socially (if they had 'company', they'd not see her background, only that she is a qualified professional with multiple qualifications). That scene is more about Colin's ambition and desire to be accepted by a 'better class' of society - indeed, this is a key aspect of the character throughout.
(1) Early on, Colin is shown gazing at the Massachusetts State House (MSH), indicating his desire to be part of that elite section of society - which is dismissed by his colleague ('Forget it. Your father was a janitor, his son's only a cop.')
(2) When taking the lease on his fancy apartment, he is again shown looking at the MSH, and the real estate agent mentions that 'if you move in you're upper-class by Tuesday), then implies that Colin may not be able to afford it (which Colin is then shown to be visibly annoyed by - 'Just gimme the papers.')
(3) When he is playing golf with his superior and is asked whether he has a girlfriend, the first thing Colin thinks to mention is that 'She's a doctor.' This further shows that this is the thing about her that matters the most to him - a feeling which is no doubt reinforced when Ellerby tells him that marriage is important 'to get ahead in life.')
(4) Though Colin and Frank are shown to have something of a father-son relationship in some respects, this clearly doesn't mean much to Colin, who ultimately sells Frank out and then kills him in order to further his career.
(5) In last scene, before entering his apartment he is shunned by two upper class older women. It is very unlikely that they would know of his police corruption, so they simply don't accept him as part of their world.
(6) After being killed by Dignam, the last thing shown on screen is the MSH, symbolising how it was Colin's desire to chase that particular goal (upwards social mobility) that lead to his personal corruption and ultimate violent demise.
Therefore, when looking at the scene where he removes the photograph, it is more about a larger theme within the movie of his failed quest for acceptance in higher society.
You bring up some excellent points that are well-supported. I enjoyed reading your analysis.
Amazing video man. Great character analysis and breakdown.
Detail, depth and symbolism in this movie is so good ❤❤❤
This ain't reality TV!
I also thought Colin was abused as a boy because he was shown as an altar boy and had no parents. Frank sees 2 priests eating and warns them about abusing children and that he runs the “bingo “
LOVE when Dignam serves up street justice on him.. always great seeing mother****ers getting what they’ve got coming to them. “Instant karma’s 🎼 gonna get you 🎶.. it’s alright 🎵… it’s alright”
The scenes that reference James Joyce and Shakespeare are a good way to support the point they’re trying to make. But in reality they don’t work. Academia is a significant part of Boston’s culture, while poetry and literature part of Irish culture. It would be different if the characters were Italians from Brooklyn who knew the James Joyce and Shakespeare quotes.
Thorough and fun channel, definitely subbed and hit the bell.
I appreciate that, thanks!
Please make Professor Zündapp from Cars 2 and Captain James Hook from Peter Pan (1953)
Can you do Waller from DC
Can you do Randall from monsters inc or Lotso from toy story 3??
Do Catra from She-Ra and The Princesses of Power.
I hope this movie gets a sequel where he survived and take revenge on Dignam
Lol, yeah unless a cure for a bullet to the face is invented, that ain't happening.
How?????
for example the last scene was just he's imagining because of the traumatic events Sullivan experienced lately
Yeah man I dunno. Somethings don't need sequels, just let it be. The movie is damn near perfect
@ChrisSuswal-de9tj well yeah man. That's your take but I kinda felt there's more story to tell with this
I honestly think the "Sullivan is gay" argument is wrong. At no time did he strike me as anything other that hetero-normative.
He's not gay. His insecurities are exposed throughout the film. Basically trying to be a "tough guy" when he's really just that scared kid from the start of the movie. Nothing has changed. He's just been manipulated by Costello.
This is one of the most depressing movies I've ever seen.
Plz review andhadhun indian movie
The Departed is garbage compared to the Hong Kong Original Masterpiece known as Infernal Affairs. Infernal Affairs is a much better movie than The Departed. Infernal Affairs was subtle, beautiful, Tragic, and Brilliant. The Departed misses the point on what made Infernal Affairs, such a masterpiece
Not surprising, considering that American Remakes of Foreign Movies are garbage!
The Foreign Originals will always be superior!!!
If he was molested as a child he is ironically a more tragic character than at first thought - villains wiki paraphrased