MovieChat Forums > The Departed (2006) Discussion > Two twists too many?

Two twists too many?

posted 5 years ago by PrimeMinisterX (8759)
7 replies | jump to latest

I just rewatched The Departed last night for the first time since it hit theaters. It's a good film, but does anyone else think that there are perhaps two twists too many?

At the end of the film, Leo gets killed by a heretofore unknown second double-agent, and then Damon gets killed by Wahlberg.

Call me a sucker for a happy ending, but I think I'd have rather seen Leo's plan work and see him bring Damon to justice and get his identity back. Or if Scorsese just insisted that Leo didn't make it, then have Damon's girlfriend open the envelope that Leo gave her and then give whatever information is in there to Alec Baldwin's character, who then arrests Damon.

The envelope really does bother me a bit because it's like a Chekhov's gun that's never fired. Leo gives it to her and then it just disappears from the plot, never to be seen again.

[–] TaRaNRoD (1579) 5 years ago

It's the reason of their break up though, which plays a considerable part in Damon's downfall.

And no, the ending is perfect as it is.

[–] MavKilledGoose (872) 5 years ago

The elevator scene is fantastic, and it's great that DiCaprio eats it.

I do agree Damon's death goes too far. There was no Dignam character in the Hong Kong original, so Damon's counterpart had to live with the guilt and dishonor, which works really well for that cultural milieu. Americans require blood vengeance, so that's what we got, and it's pretty silly. The Hollywood version was superior in every respect except for this final story turn.

[–] MoviesSuck (964) 2 years ago

The envelope contains evidence that she gives to Dignum after Leo’s murder. It’s how Dignum knows that Colin is guilty.

[–] Mattc164 (618) 2 years ago

Thats assumed though. We don’t know for sure she gave it to Dignum.
Dignum knew all along he was a crook and a mole. He didn’t need to be reassured by an envelope.

[–] stickman38 (3361) 2 years ago

Too many twists is about right. In my opinion, it's way too contrived, I didn't care for it that much, but it's a decent film. Donnie Brasco is a much better film but similar in some ways because they both feature undercover work.

[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7734) 2 years ago

Just wanted to point out that the second double agent did appear earlier in the film. He's the one Sullivan complains to about the fire fighters. I admit though him just coming as a double agent when he had a such a tiny role in the beginning was pretty contrived. But Scorsese really wanted a sad ending I guess.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

It was the correct number of twists.