The DepartedThe Departed is a film built on the concept of gritty realism, which is used to create Scorsese's glamorous vision of organized crime. It is modern because of the ambiguous nature of its corrupt and often stereotypical characters. Scorsese incorporates popularized ethnic stereotypes throughout the plot, as he does in many of his other films. In fact, several parallels are visible between The Departed and other Scorsese films, including in terms of casting. William Monahan's screenplay is well adapted, and full of complex characters that make the film multidimensional. The South Boston setting is also a vital aspect of the film, creating a world where organized crime can thrive and morals are unclear. The two main characters, Collin and Billy, clash in a struggle that further blurs the boundaries of morality, redefining what a good guy is. The film leaves us with little resolution, but manages to captivate the audience from start to finish. Ultimately, it creates a blend of realism and spectacularity that makes it a true classic worthy of its Best Picture Oscar. The film's ambiguous characters are definitely modern. Each character acts according to their own agenda outside the lines of moral behavior. Billy Costigan plays the good guy disguised to infiltrate Costello's gang. However, he gets dirty by his affair with Madolyn. It is also revealed that he has a history of violent behavior which made him the ideal choice to play a criminal. His character clearly derives pleasure from his violent actions, as demonstrated in the bar scene when he smashes a glass against another man's skull to protect his ego. Collin appears to be the good guy, but he's actually one of Costello's lackeys. It...... middle of paper ...... flower of the storyline that leaves a lasting impression. The lack of resolution at the end is frustrating and intriguing. When almost all the central characters are killed off and Dignam shows up to kill Collin in the crazy all-plastic outfit, I was appalled. Collins' death provides some resolution that the villain has been punished, but others remain unanswered. What is the fate of Madolyn and her unborn child, who is the father, what were Dignam's intentions, did he know about Collin all along. The lingering questions in this modern film create a lasting impact on the viewer. Scorsese's direction was spectacular and ultimately won him the Academy Award for Best Director that he had been unfairly denied in several other films. This film is a perfect blend of gritty realism and spectacular Hollywood production that absolutely deserved its Best Picture Oscar..