The Departed: Let’s talk about that ending

Posted: 16 Jul 2019 08:00 AM PDT

I'm on the team that brings you The Roku Channel, so I get a sneak peek at all the movies and TV shows that are featured each month. When I noticed that we were bringing The Departed for the whole month of July I was excited – and to confess – I'd never seen the movie before.

I know. I know. Ever since its release, The Departed quickly joined the ranks of Scarface and The Godfather in the crime film canon. The cast is stacked with Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen, and with Martin Scorsese masterminding the tense thriller – there's no way the film could not be good – I just missed it.

Now that it’s streaming for free on The Roku Channel, I had to see it. Long story short, I loved this Scorsese's film – it surpassed all my expectations. Scorsese's The Departed tells the story of two men serving as double agents—one for the Irish Mob and one for the Boston PD. They are the same, yet opposites. They even share a love interest in common. If they weren't working for rival organizations, you'd almost assume they'd be best friends in another life. Or, you know, not.

DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, an undercover Boston officer and a rat inside Nicholson's Frank Costello's inner circle. In a similar predicament, Damon plays Colin Sullivan, Frank's mole within Boston's Special Investigations Unit. Both men are wildly successful infiltrating their enemy organization and quickly rise through the ranks. While the film was filled with twists and delectable cat and mouse sequences, it was the last few minutes that really haunt me.

If you haven't seen the film yet – look away now… spoilers are coming…

Everyone dies?! After an all-out blood bath where almost everyone we met in the film died (yes, even Jack Nicholson), the film veers to Costigan's funeral. Sullivan is there along with his ex-girlfriend Dr. Madolyn Madden, played by the amazing Vera Farmiga. The last we saw of Madolyn was when she found out her perfect boyfriend Sullivan was a no-good rat and extra dirty cop. Also, she's pregnant with either Sullivan or Costigan's baby. Dicey to say the least…

After Costigan's funeral, Sullivan calls after Madolyn "What about the baby?" A common trope used to symbolize starting life anew, a baby would mean starting over for Sullivan, more importantly starting over without Costello hanging over him. Tough for him though, because Madolyn wants nothing to do with him. In the next shot, and totally out of nowhere, Sullivan is shot and killed by Sgt. Sean Dignam (Mark Wahlberg.)

Now the question to be asked is this…did Madolyn tell Dignam the truth about Sullivan? Or did she just sit and stew with this massive truth bomb poised to set off at any point? Or did Dignam act alone and kill Sullivan because he suspected him all along?

Maybe Madolyn told Dignam out of a final act of love for Costigan. There's something to be said with the immediacy of the scene after Costigan's funeral, but then again, Scorsese could be manipulating time. Sadly, we will never know as that answer lies with him.

Normally I'd end this with some recommendations of what else to watch if you, too, loved The Departed, but since it's such a darkly epic masterpiece, I'll go in the other direction and offer up some great comedies streaming right now on The Roku Channel.

A Knight's Tale (free) – Heath Ledger plays a clever and talent knight with some kick butt jousting skills. Great costumes and even better music. Miss you forever Heath.

Something's Gotta Give (free) – Nancy Meyers knows good romantic comedies. Want to know what she knows even better? Kitchens. Bonus: watch immediately after The Departed for a Jack Nicholson double feature.

Schitt's Creek (free) – I know. I know. But it's not a comedy movie! No, but it is one stellar comedy series. Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara reunite for an amazingly unique sitcom unlike anything you've seen before.

Game Night – It's got Rachel McAdams. It's got Patrick Bateman. Dark comedy lovers, this one’s for you. Seriously underrated and dare I say… a laugh a minute?

Check out Game Night via subscription to Cinemax on The Roku Channel.

Mr. Right – Sam Rockwell stars as a professional assassin who kills the people who hire him. It's got romance and epic dance moves from Sam Rockwell, need I say more??