MovieChat Forums > The Departed (2006) Discussion > Colin was not gay. Period.

Colin was not gay. Period.

posted 10 years ago by zzzoeb
35 replies | jump to latest

I have nothing against Colin being homosexual..in fact it could have been a really definite twist but from what I think, despite some allusions, he is certainly not one....
Here is my explanation....

In the early part of the film, during the rugby match, Colin makes some harsh comments about firefighters being homos which sort of explains his distaste for the same behavior and it is a bit unclear whether he himself is one or not.

During his first day in SIU, he observes a woman's hips and even whistles at then. He stares at them again and he certainly does not look as if he is queer or something.

Of course, there are moments where he is unable to get it up and perform but did you notice the moments where he really gets all hot and turned on- passionately kissing Madolyn just before Costello calls him up or that scene towards the end- when he grabs her and starts kissing her after she shows him the X-ray?

You can say safely that Colin was at times impotent and the compulsive liar that he was, he even made a huge thing of his sexual life (yeah, it is working. Overtime)but my feeling is that his sexual performance was directly affected by his life as an insider.

He was tempted by the security and prestige that his job as a cop was offering him and he was sort of confused- that if he goes back to Costello, where does it lead to- the same grubby life from which he had been rescued in the first place? To hold all that temporary security and sense of luxury together, he was at times extremely anxious and it was this anxiety that showed up in places.

His initial night with Madolyn goes wrong for the simple reason that the pressure is building on him- he is tipping Costello off, he is trying to cover up murders made by the gang and all of that puts a pressure on him.

Whereas, in that scene when he starts kissing her while at home before Costello calls, he feels at temporary peace and security and he relishes it perfectly.

The same is with the scene in the end- he feels that he has nothing more to lose- Billy's identity is erased, noone will harm him now, Costello is gone and he can now start a nice family. It is this idea itself which sparks his sexuality.

What do you think?

You can say that

[–] Lucy9596 10 years ago

Honestly, I never wasted a thought about his sexual orientation until it was brought up here. It's just not relevant for the plot. Whereas his problems to get it up are. Because now we have to think if the kid is his or Billy's. Although he must have been successful at least once or he wouldn't believe her when she showed him the picture.

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Hell yes!

****

[–] Tyler-A-Arse 9 years ago

Honestly, I never wasted a thought about his sexual orientation until it was brought up here.

Me, either. I'm a little surprised that such a tread exist!

[–] liverpool26 10 years ago

I can't see why people would say he's gay he showed no interest in men and had a girlfriend when most of the guys are single so it wasn't for cover. His impotence is probably due to stress. Billy was also showed to suffer from the stress by taking lots of pills.

[–] vyperman7 9 years ago

I could personally care less if Sullivan was gay. But there's definitely an underlying subtext.

1) His homophobic behavior before/after the game in the beginning. Homophobes tend to be closet cases themselves because they're over compensating. It's funny how he seems transfixed by the penis shaped building sitting on the bench and then out of nowhere he suddenly makes another homophobic remark because of where his mind went.

2) His conversation w-the realtor and him being uneasy at the implication he was gay. A straight guy wouldn't have taken it personally and just said straight out he was single. But Sullivan seemed really on edge.

3) All of his sexual problems/impotence

4) The marriage conversation between him and Baldwin @ the driving range. Baldwin says it's a good way to let people know you're not a homo. More subtext and Sullivan seems like he's trying to front and prove against the allegation that not being married means you're gay.

[–] mikeyg24 9 years ago

Wow I bet you could find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!

I've had a lot of sobering thoughts in my time Del Boy, it's them that started me drinking!

[–] evanmang87 9 years ago

vyperman7 -- The rapid change in our societal attitudes towards homosexuality make people forget that up until several years ago, many people used epithets like "fag" "queer" "homo" and described anything they disliked or held in contempt as "gay" even if they had nothing against actual gay people. It's not like any of the other cadets batted an eye, let alone called out Sullivan when he was tossing around those insults. It was seen as quite normal.

Also the story line that someone who dislikes gay people is secretly gay is so overdone. People are raised in environments where hatred towards scape goats and anyone who is different and in the minority is deeply ingrained. Across cultures, gay people have often filled that role of scape goat because they are different. While it is not uncommon for a homophobe to be gay, it's often not the case as well.

As far as Madelyn goes, the film takes place over the course of at least a couple of years. He probably had sex with Madelyn before she moved in with him. The conversation they had at the breakfast table was probably NOT the first time they tried to have sex but it was the first time he was unable to perform. I think it has everything to do with the high stress and anxiety of living a double life, especially when the ending would undoubtedly not be favorable for Sullivan. There was a piano hanging over his head at all times because of the choices he made and an inevitable fall was coming.

Having said all that, I accept the theories that Colin may have been abused or might be gay. However, the realtor example is totally reading way too much into things and missing the mark. The realtor was prying because he was baffled as to how a young police officer could possibly afford a condo overlooking the State House. Properties in that part of Boston cost literally MILLIONS of dollars. Hell, the City of Boston has considered even lifting the required minimum number of years a new BPD officer has to live in the city because even the more residential neighborhoods have become unaffordable on a cop's salary let alone some of the hottest real estate downtown. The realtor would not have asked, let alone cared, if Colin was gay and there was nothing in his questioning that implied he thought Colin had a male partner. Colin was hostile because he didn't like his questioning and his insinuation that Colin clearly couldn't afford a piece of real estate like this on his income.

[–] mama21 8 years ago

I agree. I think if you look at this from realitys POV it's a bit offensive and un-pic but consider the culture of these groups of people in Boston at the time. They were all very prejudiced and full of disgust for anyone that wasn't their own, plus, it's possible that Colin had been abused by the priests when still with the church as a kid. Frank makes snide comments to the priest in the restaurant about abusing boys and Collin had been a church boy at one time, he might have experienced some abuse which could be related to his need to defend his sexual prowess to his boss and also make many harsh comments about homosexuals or people who might be homosexual. He has something to prove.

[–] Ronnoco (16) 8 years ago

I think there's a good likelihood that Colin was a deeply closeted homo, but he was trying to suppress it. His homophobic remarks and his inability to get it up with his girlfriend point to it. He had a lot in his life that he was hiding. Also, there was his boss's remark that getting married was always a good idea, it would be proof that he wasn't a homo. There was clearly an unspoken bias against gays within the police force at that time, which was all the more reason why Colin needed to conceal his own gay inclinations.

[–] lukas1985 9 years ago

most of the guys are single? Who were the single guys?

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[–] Jletto-611-336259 9 years ago

I don't think he was gay either. I think if he was, they would of showed scenes of him looking at guys or secretly meeting with a guy. If they are going to throw something like that into a movie like this, they would of made it much more visible.

[–] mpurvismattp 9 years ago

It's kind of a strange addition to the story really, and I guess the movie kind of leaves it up to the viewer to decide. There is a scene where Alec Baldwin states to Matt Damon that if a cop is married then he looks better to his fellow officers because it shows that at least someone can stand him and he's not a queer. This statement speaks volumes about the environment these cops work in, it's old school rules and a place where letting anyone see what could even be perceived as a weakness can ostracize you from the herd and cost you every bit of respect you may have earned. Damon's character could have been dealing with some sexual demons or it could have just been stress, either way he has been made to look weak, less then a man and possibly a target for ridicule in his world of testosterone fueled judgment. Damon gets no relief from his issue in his underworld life either, he would get the same treatment there and he's dating the psychiatrist so even if he wanted to talk to someone (and it's quite obvious that he doesn't) he has no one to go to, he can not share his problems and therefore he is trapped and left to deal with them on his own.

[–] RynoII 9 years ago

I think to say that Baldwin's statement implies that Colin is gay is a bit of a stretch.

A lot of times when a guy suffers from erectile disfunction, a lot of people will jump to the assumption that he very well could be gay.

I suffered from it, and that's literally what everyone was suggesting it could be. Not just a couple of friends, but most of the women I dated at the time, would jump to it, so it's natural for people to jump to that sort of conclusion I guess.

But I never thought about men that way at all, and I would just take cialis, and continue dating women, up to the present day.

So he could have been gay, but it could have been something completely different, and we'll never know.

[–] RomaVictorrrr 9 years ago

Colin was most definitely a closeted gay person who had no intention of ever "coming out." Gay people can still have relationships with women when they're in the closet, I think, and him being a very confident, swaggering male, it's not surprising that he would flirt with people the way he did.

I don't know why they'd use impotence as a sign, though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgSja633_F4

This video breaks it down pretty good although it misses the little comments Costello himself made to Sullivan.

The whole movie seemed to be about people hiding their identities, hiding their true feelings and loyalties. Almost every character seemed to be hiding something, Madolyn and her true emotions, Costigan and his undercover work, Sullivan with both his "orientation" and his double agent work, Costello and his FBI affiliation, the constant remarks about priests and pedophilia, Costello's other rat.

Great movie. But Costigan summed up Sullivan's character in the unflattering and derogatory line "two-faced phaggit" (misspelled on purpose)

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] RomaVictorrrr 9 years ago

Since Sullivan seemed to have this exaggerated male swagger about everything (his game with the firemen), is it hard to imagine he can still flirt with women? He's not ever planning to "come out".

[–] mjblack0508 9 years ago

Only problem is that the video linked is assuming that people who call others homosexual slurs are closeted. When I was growing up in school, the kids talked just like that. Were some of them gay? perhaps but not all of them. People say things when they're extremely angry and there isnt really any subtext to it.

One person said he was enamored by the "penis" building, which is actually the, I think, city hall building. The point was that Sullivan had his eyes on becoming a politician, which makes sense since he found it so easy to lie. When he gets the apartment, he was happy to see the building because he has his eyes set on where he wants to be, which was different than Costigan who was more about living day to day and only wanting to eventually get out and live his life as himself.

As for the issues with his girlfriend, its a common thing that when a guy is super stressed he can become impotent. He is more upset at the idea because most men get upset if they cant perform, they feel like they arent men if they cant perform. As another stated, the movie takes place over a few years and this presumably was the first time it happened based on the way she talked.

Going to an adult theater with other guys jacking off all around you would make most normal men uncomfortable.

Also the comment about Frank not having any sons was more taking a shot trying to insinuate that Frank is shooting blanks.

The interaction with the realtor was more that the realtor didnt believe that Sullivan could afford the place on a cops salary, which is true, and the co-signer comment was to put the realtor at ease.

The interaction between Sullivan and Baldwin's character is really telling about the age of Baldwin's character and not indicative of Sullivan being gay. People used to believe that men who werent married by a certain age had something wrong with them or that they were gay.

The rest of the analysis is just more trying to read between the lines instead of evidence. Could he have been gay? Sure, but the evidence provided is weak at best to prove it.

[–] Scarlett_Butler 9 years ago

During his first day in SIU, he observes a woman's hips and even whistles at then. He stares at them again and he certainly does not look as if he is queer or something.

He does this because the other cop (the dark-haired one) is standing next to them. Ever notice how Colin's displays of hetero behavior often involve bystanders? He's doing it as a performative act.

did you notice the moments where he really gets all hot and turned on- passionately kissing Madolyn just before Costello calls him up

You need to watch more carefully. The phone rings once and then Colin kisses Madolyn. The phone of course rings again and he acts like it's difficult to tear himself away from the kiss. He deliberately picks moments like this to display his alleged heterosexuality, but they're always interrupted. Another example is when Madolyn is moving in. Someone knocks on the door, Colin starts to kiss Madolyn, the guys at the door of course ring again and Colin acts annoyed that he has to stop kissing Madolyn. I think he even remarks out loud that he's annoyed to be interrupted.

These tiny moments are deliberate. They didn't just accidentally end up in the movie.

[–] RomaVictorrrr 9 years ago

Great observations, Scarlett.

He does this because the other cop (the dark-haired one) is standing next to them. Ever notice how Colin's displays of hetero behavior often involve bystanders? He's doing it as a performative act.

When he's in the elevator, too, his flirting with Madolyn is still a performance.

[–] DrmWmn 9 years ago

This! Sullivan's entire life is a mirage for those who are watching to believe. He only hit on those women and behaved that way when others were around to see him behave that way. Remember the porn scene? He was disgusted being there and was disgusted watching what was happening in the movie. Not exactly what you would expect from a guy whistling at a coworker in a skirt, is it?

Costello even makes reference to how he believes Sullivan is gay. The time he was impotent wouldn't have necessarily meant he was gay, except that it was meant to be another hint tied in with the other clues throughout the movie. Even though it was only referenced one time, I would guess it happened more often than they showed. You can't exactly attribute that to stress either. As stressed as Costigan was, he wanted that, needed that with the girl. Besides the pills for anxiety, he was seeking an escape, comfort, solace. Sullivan on the other hand only did what he had to in order to keep up appearances.

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[–] ragincajun-89591 9 years ago

DrmWmn: Do you have a specific quote concerning Frank's inference that Sullivan is gay?

[–] RomaVictorrrr 9 years ago

There isn't a specific quote. He just hints at something up with Colin.

Frank Costello: Where'd they put you?
Colin Sullivan: Hey Frank, I gotta find myself.
Frank Costello: You're telling me, sonny boy.
Colin Sullivan: I gotta find the guy you got in the department.
Frank Costello: With everybody looking up their own ass, and you looking for yourself, I'd put my money on nobody finds nothing.

[–] Scarlett_Butler 9 years ago

Thanks! Yes, I forgot the elevator scene. Also people present and also a rushed situation (since he couldn't hold up the elevator indefinitely).

[–] misterbfd 9 years ago

Not that I mind or that it really matters, but I sort of picked up some possible hints that he might be gay throughout the film myself. Just small inferences. It really doesn't matter much to the plot as such, but it does add a layer of depth to the character... remember, he brags about what a skilled liar he is.

[–] tjordan-05828 9 years ago

He's gay (not that there's anything wrong with that). He calls the firefighters "homos" and makes the remarks/advances to women in his office because he's in denial of his sexuality or hiding it and in turn overcompensating. It goes along with the theme(s) of the film of duality and pretending to be someone you aren't.

[–] geearf 9 years ago

I never considered he was gay before reading imdb... but everything you wrote doesn't matter, he said himself he was lying a lot... you can guess most of the stuff he did/say was just acting, so he could always say he hated homos, while being one himself (not saying he was...) that's pretty much what he stated for the rat within the cops..