The Rewatchables “The Re-Departed” With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey
7 snips
Oct 5, 2021 
Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey rewatch "The Departed" and discuss its unique storytelling style, top-notch performances, and themes of identity and fathers and sons. They delve into Al Pacino's acting approach, Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar controversy, and the shocking death of a character. They also explore the inaccurate portrayal of Whitey Bulger in movies and TV series, compare scenes from "Infernal Affairs" and "The Departed," and analyze the absurdity and maximalism of the film. The hosts debate the opening montage, discuss what has aged poorly, and examine Boston's misrepresentation in films. They consider alternate casting choices, recognize memorable supporting performances, and explore the impact of the song "Shipping Up to Boston." Lastly, they speculate about a future episode with Michael Mann.
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Zip-Line Movie Momentum
- The Departed functions like a "zip line" movie that hurtles the audience to its conclusion with nonstop momentum.
- That rapid, chaotic cutting and piling of events keeps viewers engaged even when plot details blur.
Scorsese's Collage Of Motifs
- The Departed reads like a Scorsese greatest-hits collage, remixing familiar motifs with new energy.
- Its charm comes from deliberate, chaotic construction rather than strict narrative clarity.
X Motif As Death Foreshadowing
- The film uses recurring visual motifs (X marks) to signal doomed characters and build thematic cohesion.
- These layered images quietly foreshadow mortality across the movie's chaotic editing.