Identity Crisis
A relentless pursuit of the self that ends in a shattering confrontation with one's own reflection.
Martin Scorsese’s 2006 remake of Infernal Affairs, titled The Departed, serves as a definitive cinematic exploration of identity crisis within a crime drama framework. This structural duality drives the film's tension, culminating in a climax where both characters face the consequences of their fractured identities.
- Primary Domain
- Crime Drama
- Key Manifestation
- Undercover officers and moles infiltrating opposing organizations
- Recurring Protagonist Type
- Men living double lives as police officers and gang members
- Narrative Outcome
- Death of the protagonists or continued criminal identity
- Thematic Counterpart
- Police vs. Triad duality
Lore & Background
The story is rooted in the exchange of identity between two men operating on opposite sides of the law. Hon Sam, a triad boss, sends Lau Kin-ming to the police academy to become his mole, while cadet Chan Wing-yan is secretly selected by Superintendent Wong Chi-shing to infiltrate Hon's organization. Over ten years, Chan becomes burdened by the psychological strain of maintaining his cover, fearing he is turning into an actual criminal. Meanwhile, Lau rises through the ranks to Senior Inspector but begins to appreciate his life as a respected officer, wanting to sever ties with the triad. Both men struggle with their double lives until they realize each has a spy within their own organization, forcing them to race against time to uncover one another.
In Their Own Story
The turning point occurs when Chan informs Wong of a drug transaction, only for Lau to alert Hon and destroy the evidence. This incident reveals the existence of moles on both sides. Later, Lau uses his position to have Wong surveilled; Hon learns of their meeting from Lau and sends henchmen to confront them. On a rooftop, Chan escapes while Wong is thrown to his death. In the aftermath, Lau contacts Chan via Wong's phone, convincing him to collaborate in taking Hon down. They successfully foil Hon's drug deal, and Lau kills Hon. At police headquarters, they meet for the first time; Chan deduces Lau is the mole and leaves. Lau takes possession of Chan's identity file as leverage. The climax unfolds on the same rooftop where Wong died: Chan disarms Lau, but Inspector 'Big B' arrives, revealing he is also a triad mole. Big B shoots Chan in the head, only for Lau to kill Big B in the elevator afterward.
Reader's Guide
The narrative outcome of this identity crisis is fatal for both protagonists, with no spiritual redemption or return to innocence. Chan Wing-yan dies by gunshot on the rooftop, and his death is later revealed to be an internal affairs case where Big B is identified as the mole. Six months later, Lee discovers records of Chan's undercover status, and he is buried with honors beside Wong. Lau Kin-ming survives the immediate conflict but remains trapped in his criminal identity until the film concludes with a flashback showing him wishing he had been the one expelled from the academy instead of Chan. The source also notes an alternate ending filmed for mainland China compliance where Inspector Cheung arrests Lau immediately after he exits the lift, contrasting with the original Hong Kong ending where Lau conceals his identity to avoid punishment.
Did You Know?
- The film was remade by Martin Scorsese in 2006 as The Departed, which won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.
- In the original Hong Kong ending, Lau conceals his identity to avoid punishment, whereas the alternate ending filmed for mainland China shows him being arrested immediately.
- The famous rooftop showdown dialogue was created on the spot by writer Felix Chong and actor Tony Leung, with Chong playing Andy Lau's part during improvisation.
- Actor Gordon Lam did not receive the full script and only discovered his character 'Big B' was a triad mole until filming the final scene.
- The film won seven out of sixteen nominations at the 22nd Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Actor for Tony Leung.