The Departed - Best Irish American Movie Ever!

[Tobias March]

A few years ago I read Confessions of a Cineplex Heckler by Joe Queenan. An Irish American film critic, he dedicates a whole chapter to 'Oirish fillums', titled 'Blarney Stoned'. The list of offenders is long - he reserves particular ire for Mickey Rourke's Prayer for the Dying, whose proceeds were famously donated to the IRA (twat).

The Departed stars Leonardo Di Caprio & Matt Damon as opposing moles in both the police and the Irish mafia. Matt Damon at one point is spotted watching The Informer, a film Queenan cites as being blarney-rific. In the film Damon is watching as the film ends with the dying informant lying in a church crying out "Frankie your mother forgives me!". Di Caprio's contact in the police force is his boss played by Martin Sheen. His character's name is Queenan.

I hope Queenan himself writes about this movie. It's feckin' brilliant. While I love the original HK flick Infernal Affairs, this flick manages to have Irish characters who don't make me wince. I spotted a genuine Armagh (I think) accent in the mix and even the rapist from Shawshank Redemption acquits himself nicely.

But there's not a spot of blarney. It's not twee - it's filthy. I've never seen a film with so much talk about dicks. Honestly it's ever other word in this movie. Damon even seems to be experiencing some difficulty in the bedroom. It's the Catholic guilt you see ;)

There was one scary moment were Mark Wahlberg had a pair of baggy pants on and it looked like he was going to break out his Funky Bunch moves. And as for the Irish mafia selling microchips to the Chinese..? Booze, diesel, guns and drugs yes, but chips?

An Irish film that doesn't make me wince. It's a first. Of course Scorsese managed it :D

[Lunar Daydreamer]

I'm a big fan of Infernal Affairs, so colour me curious that they actually treat the brilliant source material properly.

How does it compare to the original?

[Tobias March]

I'm a big fan of Infernal Affairs, the film on which it's based. So colour me curious that they actually treat the brilliant source material properly.

The role of the therapist is quite different. And the body count is higher, but it is remarkably faithful otherwise (remember - Infernal Affairs had bagpipes too ;) )

[Damo]

Well now, you're going for famous movies that are crap. I know I've seen non-famous ones that put this list (horrible as it is) to shame. One still sticks in my mind, involving a rich man that learned what it's like to be an outcast after being "turned black" (I think minstrel shows had better makeup) and a mute girl that loved to dance. It was crap, and the local PBS showed it several years in a row on St. Paddy's day.

I'd have to say I dislike Gangs of New York the most, although they're all pretty lousy. Frankly I think The Quiet Man, with all due respect to some of the great actors in it, was far worse.

Love the irony of the Black Tom avatar though.

[Lester C.]

The Jackal was a masterpiece of film cinema staring Bruce Willis and Richard Gear. It should win the poll.

[Damo]

The Jackal was a masterpiece of film cinema staring Bruce Willis and Richard Gear. It should win the poll.

Go watch Day of the Jackal and tell me it's not a bad remake. Go on. I like those actors, but comparing this with the original is like comparing chocolate and mud.

[Tobias March]

Love the irony of the Black Tom avatar though.

Yeah that was intentional :D

[Lester C.]

Go watch Day of the Jackal and tell me it's not a bad remake. Go on. I like those actors, but comparing this with the original is like comparing chocolate and mud.
I was kidding. I am serious when I say the book was better than both movies.

[CanaryNoir]

An Irish film that doesn't make me wince. It's a first. Of course Scorsese managed it :D

Considering he also did GANGS OF NEW YORK (which IS a brilliant Irish-American film covering the secret history of early New York and the US during the Civil War), I should say it isn't surprising. I'm not saying it was perfect, but it was brilliant.

[The Xenos]

I need to check out The Departed. I acutally saw them filming it last year in Boston. They had closed down the street with two of the major strip clubs in town. Um... not that I knew that.. um.. until I read it later. Yeah. I was.. in the area.. um.. to pick up a bus?

Acutally, I was. I unfortunatley didn't see anyone. Then again, they had the whole street blocked off, so all I saw was crew, equipment vans, and movie equipment.

I was hoping to see Internal Affairs first, but I really want to see Departed while it's still in thearters. It looks fantastic and that some of it was filmed in Boston and it has a heavy Boston setting is awesome.

Also, speaking of Irish American films, what's the consensus on Boondock Saints?

[Tobias March]

Also, speaking of Irish American films, what's the consensus on Boondock Saints?

Never seen it myself, but my flatmate loves it. Won't shut up about it in fact.

[Dr. Killbydeath]

The Departed was really much better than I thought it would be. It's the only thing I've ever liked Leo in. Wahlberg stole the movie. His role was just so funny.

The only problem I had was the for the first 30 minutes of the movie I couldn't get over the idea that Damon took the role just to use his Good Will Hunting accent.

[NickThompson]

Also, speaking of Irish American films, what's the consensus on Boondock Saints?
One of my favourite movies ever :D

[The Xenos]

The only problem I had was the for the first 30 minutes of the movie I couldn't get over the idea that Damon took the role just to use his Good Will Hunting accent.

Well, it is kinda his native accent. Plus.. it's just plain.. er.. ah.. wicked pissah.

...

Nothing bad ever happens to the Kennedys! Dental dam!


Yeah, somehow JFK's accent from Clone High got stuck in my head.

[Dr. Killbydeath]

Could it be my avatar... or perhaps because Clone high is awesome?

[Cam63]

I voted Far and Away as worst Irish film, 'cause I couldn't handle Tom Cruise's attempt at an Irish accent.