The Departed.
Key Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg.
Director: Martin Scorsese.
Writer: William Monohan.
Genre: Crime Thriller.
Themes: Violence, betrayal, deceit, corruption.
Release: October 2006
Budget: $90,000,000
Key Scene: An important scene within the film is when Billy (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) realises that he is not the only undercover agent within Franks gang and when he realises that there are rats in the police force. This is important as it shows to the audience the level of police corruption. No one in this film can truly trust one another. This is important because by finding out that there are traitors on both sides adds the element of suspense. This makes the film a thriller because the audience is unaware if the characters true intentions.
Micro-Features: An important micro-feature is Performance. The whole film is based around the idea of deceit. The characters within the film have to change their performance in order to try and get the information they need. The undercover agents have to try and fit in with the surroundings so they don't blow their cover. The performance is important as it creates suspense because the audience has to try and work out what side the characters are on.
Comparables: This film could be compared to Mr and Mrs Smith (2005 Doug Liman). This is because the main protagonists are also undercover. Also in the film it is hard to decide who are the good or the bad guys. By making it unclear who the audience should trust makes it more interesting for the audience as they have to work out what could end up happening.
How well did this film do in the box office? I think it would have done well because of star power. Has the director created any other films like this? If so, were they better or worse than this film? Did Mr & Mrs Smith do as well as this film? Was performance also important in Mr & Mrs Smith?
ReplyDeleteI hope this helps :)
Your analysis is structure in a very appropriate manner, allowing you to be able to clearly identify the narrative's key feautres and the important micro-features that make this film what it is. You clearly understand what the film does in order to meet its genre and its convention, as well as how the themes help it to relate to the audience. The use of a comparable show that you can think outside of this film and more of the industry as a whole, looking at how The Departed is similar to many other films.
ReplyDeleteHowever for improvement, look further indepth into the key features that you have already identified. You already know what to discuss in this film and the key features that define this film, but you need to apply it. Talk more diversly about how the micro-features are used, how they are used to create meaning and how they intentionally used by the filmmakers for affect.
Your analysis skills are great but a push in the direction of the specification needed for analysis will make sure that you are able to perfectly analysis any kind of film that comes along. Focus on the meaning behind microfeatures and the analysis should be clear to you. :)