 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Departed
- Review Date: February 11, 2007
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Violent, well-done thriller. Not for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film is not for kids -- but many will want to see it due to the incredibly heavy promotion during TV shows popular with kids. It's far too graphically violent for those under 17, including images of heads being shot and spurting blood, limbs being broken, bodies sprawled and bloody, and expressions of pain by victims of shootings and beatings. Sexual imagery includes a scene in a porn theater that cuts to the screen (the actors are engaged in sexual activity, but no X-rated shots are visible) and frequent sexual slang (some of which is homophobic). Characters smoke in almost every scene, and drink occasionally, and Billy takes pills throughout the film, indicating his increasing paranoia and depression.
What's the story?
THE DEPARTED centers on two moles working at cross purposes while using similar methods -- that is, tipping off their superiors to their opponents' plans via cell phones. Colin (Matt Damon) makes his way through the ranks of the Massachusetts State Troopers while spying for flamboyant Irish mobster Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). In turn, Captain Queenan (Martin Sheen) and pugnacious Sergeant Dignam (a very entertaining Mark Wahlberg) recruit their own mole, Billy (Leonardo DiCaprio) -- whose family background is filled with gangsters and crooks -- to infiltrate Frank's crew.
Is it any good?
A densely layered, lively saga of betrayal and revenge, The Departed features powerhouse performances and virtuoso profanity. Directed by Martin Scorsese and scripted by William Monahan, the movie is brutal and brainy, with speedy plot twists and deceptions layered on top of deceptions.
Less elegant, rowdier, and more neatly resolved than the original, The Departed loves its excesses. Scorsese grants Nicholson a wide berth, and his antics provide plenty of "color" (especially his rat imitation, as he worries out loud about finding the spy). Doubled and different at the same time, both Billy and Colin struggle with their "identities," cleverly illustrated by both the surveillance and communications technology (cell phones, wires, lost signals) they use and the film's editing, which emphasizes their parallel tracks and near collisions.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the difficulties posed by loyalties and lies. In order to do their job, the two moles have to lie to their friends, associates, and family. What emotional difficulties does that situation create?
What kind of stress would that put on your life over a long period of
time?How would you feel if you found out someone you cared about was
living a double life?Also, what function does Madolyn serve as the
protagonists' therapist and lover? And how are both moles' "father
figures" -- Frank the gangster and Captain Queenan -- similar?
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AGE
Brilliant but Disturbing
This movie was organally rated 17 and up???? What happened to this rating. There is no way this movie is apropiate for all let alone any 15 year olds
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AGE
THE BEST MOVIE OF 2006!
Anyone who think this movie is not good should not be allowed to live. This film is so good that I was jumping after the movie!!!! I am 16 and saw it with a friend... Yea it's violent... but is it anything we haven't seen. Comon, this is a SUPREME FILMAKING. I am not saying take your 12 yr old kid to it but 15 and up is fine. BEST OF 2006 SO FAR I MEAN REALLY THIS MOVIE ROCKS. To the review above me.... I just don't have words expressing how crazy you must be (being 11 yrs old, getting into the movie knowing it had violence and cussing and then bagging on it? I had better common sense that that when I was 5). ANYWAY, GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!
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AGE
The Departed
A fantastic thriller with an amazing cast. The younger population might find it hard to follow the plot, but a good movie for adults and teens.
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AGE
Fantastic Film -not for kids
The Departed is, without doubt, one of the five best movies that I have ever seen. It is excellently written, acted, and filmed. It is also brutally and graphically violent. Bloody murders, shootings, and graphic facial expressions to go along with them abound. Literally every sentence contains some sort of f__k, s__t, p___y,c__t, p___k, and other expletives. Sex is not much of an issue, but sexual dialogue is frequent and graphic. Characters drink and abuse drugs to cope with the horrors of their jobs. Not a movie for kids, tweens, or most teens. Excellent film! Well worth every second.
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AGE
Best movie of 2006
I really enjoy watching this movie, lots of twist and turns, suspense, action, just a all around good movie. Not for kids under 15 though, I was pretty immune to the swearing/violence/sex, but then again, lots of adults would probably not feel comfortable watching this.
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AGE
Although, GREAT FILM ...Not even a movie I would EVER chose to watch with my children!
First saw the beginning of this movie on cable channel (that censored some of the profanity) I was not able to finish it and ended up borrowing it from a library. For some reason I watched it by myself instead of watching it with my family first - GREAT CHOICE. I was definitely pulled in by the plot and characters! Fantastic job in script and directing. However, that MAIN things that turned me off was the excessive PROFANITY AND SEXUAL CONTENT OF JOKES. In addition, to the profanity, sexual innuendos and jokes the scene in the porno theater is what got me the most! Nicholsons character acts as if he is sexually gratifying himself and acts as if he is pulling out his penis!!! Well, the camera actually shows one! I was a bit taken aback and glad that I did not watch it with my children or anyone else! Like I said-- great plot and fantastic acting, directing and filming but the profanity, sexual jokes and nudity was not necessary. No one under 17 or 18 should see this movie!
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AGE
watch it with your oldest son
really good i expected it to be like the other scorcesse movies but it really brought something new
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Martin Scorsese |
| Cast: | Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 151 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 5, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | February 13, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material. |
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