Good vs. Evil, histories most overused story plot, leaves an audience wanting more. What if the good actually had evil tendencies and the bad were likable and caring? Two of my favorite movies, The Departed and American Gangster, tell stories with characters that will make you question weather or not they are truly good or evil.
One of the best movies of all time, The Departed, blurs the lines of good and evil and shows the audience the grey realistic side. This story of two cops in South Boston, one good but pretending to be bad, one bad but posing as a good officer. Both officers work for Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) the infamous head of the Irish mob. The good cop, Billy Costigan, is an undercover cop working with Costello’s crew. The bad cop, Colin Sullivan, climbed his way up to the Massachusetts State Police, but is secretly an informant for Costello. The Departed isn’t your average mob vs. cop movie but instead shows the intricate lengths each side goes to in order to eliminate the “rats” in their organizations.
The best part about the characters in The Departed is that the audience can relate to the characters that are supposed to be “evil”. Frank Costello raises Collin as almost a son, in order to insure he will have a mole in the future. Although society teaches us to hate the “evil” characters and empathize with the good and pure, Scorsese depicts Costello as sort of a hero to the neighborhood, a philosopher and an idol. “No one gives it to you. You have to take it” – Frank Costello
Similar to Costello is Frank Lucas, The infamous star of American Gangster. Frank Lucas smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War. His heroin was by far more pure that what was on the street and sold it for less then his competitor’s prices. The pure heroin caused an increase in overdoses. One might think that Frank was the typical evil human who deserved time in jail, but Ridley Scott decided to tell a different story. Scott showed the side of Frank Lucas that was commonly overlooked. Frank gave back to the community, he literally gave hundreds of turkeys away on Thanksgiving, and always made sure his friends and family were taken care of. One of his first investments, a mansion in North Carolina, was for his mom and family to live comfortably in. Frank Lucas was a well-mannered, non-arrogant, caring gangster.
Now the interesting part about the characterization in American Gangster is how Ridley Scott depicts the “good guy”. Richie Roberts is the detective that led the task force that arrested Frank Lucas. The movie depicted Roberts as your typical over worked detective, but also shows how he doesn’t care to win a custody battle with his wife. He also has multiple one-night stands though out the movie. Frank Lucas the evil gangster, was actually a family man and caring neighbor, while Richie Roberts was the good guy deceive who focused solely on solving the drug problem that he neglected his friends and family.
Watch the movie American Gangster and see if you find yourself secretly hoping that Frank Lucas and his wife Eva end up happy together with all their money and little children. Now watch The Departed and see if you secretly root for Costello to win in the end.
Why do directors make the bad guys relatable? Does this show how people weather they make wrong decisions, are all inherently good? Comment and let me know your ideas!