Quote:
Originally Posted by Sol Rosenberg
In The Departed, after Queenan's demise, why didn't Billy Costigan seek out Dignam (Marky Mark) before confronting Sgt. Sullivan?
As soon as Marky Mark confirms to Arrrec Barrrdwin that Leo was the Stateys' undercover, Maaaat Daaaaamon is finished. But nooooo. Instead, how's about we meet on the roof of the building from which Queenan was hurled, and invite an old buddy from the po-po academy who may or may not see right through the ruse.
Tbf Leo said on the roof that the dude was supposed to bring Dignam with him, but yeah there were many ways he could have handled it less dangerously (though he was always covered by the letter to Vera Farmiga).
The whole mystery about "who's the undercover?" was already suspending disbelief by the tiniest thread among Costello's crew, but okay they're not too bright, Leo is Donnie Brasco-ing the **** out of em, fine. But when Baldwin/Damon/etc. can't figure out that it's probably the "new guy" who was a former state police applicant and joined the crew right around when the inside info started to pour in, it's like "ummm."
But despite that, The Departed holds up really well imo. Leo's performance (it's absurd that he got nominated for Blood Diamond instead of this that year), the tension is ratcheted into the stratosphere during so many scenes, the editing, the always brilliant musical cues, a genre thriller that also feels intimate. It still doesn't crack Scorsese's top 5 for me, but his pantheon is large enough to have room for this on it.