The Interrelation of Good and Evil in 'The Departed'
Good and Evil: Are They Intertwined?
The Departed, a 2006 American crime drama Movie, directed by Martin Scorsese, brilliantly depicts the interrelation of good and evil. The main theme of The Departed is whether it is possible to save oneself from the battle between good and bad. This film provides a detailed investigation of the dichotomy between ethical and immoral behavior.
The movie follows two different lives; one of an undercover cop, and the other, an undercover criminal. Corporal Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is an undercover cop, working within the Massachusetts State Police, but he is also secretly connected to the Irish Mob. On the other hand, Leonard DiCaprio in the role of Billy Costigan, plays an undercover criminal working within the same Irish Mob.
Colin and Billy both have to make difficult decisions throughout the movie. While Colin strays from his moral duties to benefit the organization he volunteers with, Billy must constantly look out for his well-being while choosing to betray the man he looks up to. Both men have to make decisions between ethically right and wrong choices.
The movie brilliantly interweaves the two narratives to demonstrate their entangled relationships, and a few times as the two arcs intersect, the movie stands as an allegory of morality and immorality. What is moral, and what is not? Who will make the “right” decision in the end? The film guides the viewers on a journey towards this answer and more.
The Departed is a thrilling example of a moral thriller, that provides a reflective understanding of morality, and explores the complexity of ethical decisions. The movie is thought-provoking, and features immersive performances from the cast that make it an incredibly memorable experience.