The film Departed was directed by Martin Scorsese in 2006 to demonstrate the corrupt and criminal life of police officers and gangsters. In the film, one can see the battle between police officers and gangsters in a world of corruption, crime, and betrayal. There are three primary characters in the film. First, Costigan, young and a new officer from Boston, engage in the gang as one of the undercover detectives. Second, Sergeant Sullivan one of the notable corrupt figure, who grows and spend most of his time in the mafia and later became a detective. The last main character is Costello, a killer and the leader of the mafia, who represents the act of a psychopath in the movie. Throughout the film, the director uses several methods to show criminal theories. Additionally, corruption acts and evidence about psychopaths are also revealed.
Critical Analysis
Antisocial personality disorder is a rigid and embedded dysfunctional process focusing on social irresponsibility associated with delinquent, exploitive, and criminal behavior without remorse. Individuals with this disorder are irresponsible, self-centered, destructive, and never mind other people's welfare. According to Fishy &Hany (2019), violating and disregarding other people's rights are some of the common manifestations of antisocial personality disorder. Some of the symptoms associated with this disorder include failures to follow with law, deception, manipulation for personal gains, lack of consistency in employment, and inability to develop stable relationships.
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In the film, Costello is one of the biggest psychopaths due to his poor behavior control. He uses aggression and ordered behavior to achieve whatever he wanted. Costello does not only commit crimes for money but also to have a feeling of joy. For example, he murdered two individuals in one scene and laughed since they fell on the ground in funny ways. Additionally, Costello believed that it was one way of stimulation when he commits a crime in his life. Moreover, he did not feel guilt or remorse for those individuals he murdered. Costello had shallow effect characteristics since, throughout the film; he did not show signs of negative emotions. He also had an irresponsible character since he expects Sullivan to clean up the mess he did for him. Costello violates other people's rights, fails to conform to social norms, as revealed in his unlawful behaviors.
Accuracy of Portrayal
After watching "Departed," the audience can learn some of the antisocial personality disorder symptoms, as shown in Costello's character. The audience also can learn about corruption and criminal acts. However, the film fails to have a contented ending for an individual who has an antisocial personality disorder, which is not the actual case in the actual world. Antisocial personality disorder takes effort, time, and counseling that are not revealed in the film. Although it is rare for people with an antisocial personality disorder to find help and get counseling, the film makes confusion regarding treatment for this disorder. The film may somehow help people to understand some of the symptoms associated with this disorder.
Empirical Research Application
The study by Van den Bosch et al. (2018) develops a practical based framework to find the required resources and criteria for the treatment of people with an antisocial personality disorder. According to the study's findings, people with this disorder require team treatment since it is useful from a safety perspective. The team can help fill fundamental interdisciplinary roles during therapy like a psychiatrist, case manager, and therapist. All these roles should be clear, particularly in those teams that have to put their boundaries to the test. It also allows the team to split like delivering several applicable treatment models like individual versus group therapy that effectively treats the disorder (Bosch et al., 2018). The findings accentuate the significance of taking seriously the fear raised by individuals suffering from this disorder to their peers and professionals. The fear may lead to heightened anxiety and reaffirmation of the illusion of control.
In the film, the primary victim of antisocial personality disorder, Costello, can be treated using the team treatment method. He approaches several people, like therapists and psychiatrists. However, since most people who have antisocial personality disorder view the world as their enemy, therapists and psychiatrists should develop a working alliance and trust with Costello by avoiding too high expectations in the behavior change and tolerate apparent competency. Additionally, during treatment therapist should use appropriate instruments, motivational techniques and take time to develop a stable therapeutic relationship with Costello. In regards to findings from the study, experts indicate that antisocial personality disorder can be treated. Therefore, to help Costello improve his behavior actions like killing people, a special treatment like a team-based approach should be utilized. The character portrayed by Costello in the films indicates that he should seek treatment to control his behaviors of killing people.
Respectfulness of Portrayal
The movie portrays antisocial personality disorder as being dangerous, unstable, unpredictable, and violent people. Costello and his counterparts are associated with criminal and corrupt acts. Throughout the film, the producer has portrayed Costello as the worst criminal associated with murder cases. The movie clearly shows that the mentally ill character has been relegated to background roles and plot devices. The film shows that mentally ill people are oppressive, inhuman, malevolent, and usually act unquestionably or with evil motives. Additionally, the film has negative stereotypes about people who suffer from mental illness disorders. The character portrayed by Costello demonstrates irresponsible behaviors, thus not respect for him. The film also portrays mental illness as supernatural and otherworldly since Costello is one of the primary characters.
Implications for public perception
Public perceptions about mental illness are the primary factor that leads to stigmatization and labeling. The stigma towards people who have mental illness remains a significant barrier to positive treatment and outcomes across different nations and cultures. The public has a different explanation regarding mental health problems, particularly the cause and treatment options. The poor perception of the public about mental illness from different communities contributes to poor treatment. People who suffer from these disorders will only go to seek care services after symptoms become worse. The film makes the public believe that mental illness is dangerous, and people who suffer from it are associated with bad behaviors like murder, corruption, or other criminal acts. Additionally, the film negatively influences the public on how they should treat people with mental illness. The acts of violence in the film are disturbing and graphic compared to those penetrated by other characters. Therefore, it increases the public associations of mental illness with violence and criminal acts. Lastly, the film influences the public on how to deal with mental illness people in that they treat them as bad people who are capable of performing acts that violate societal norms.
References
Fisher,K.A.,&Hany,M.(2019).AntisocialPersonalityDisorder. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546673/
Scorsese, M (2006) . Departed Plan B Entertainment and Media Asia Films.
Van den Bosch, L. M. C., Rijckmans, M. J. N., Decoene, S., & Chapman, A. L. (2018). Treatment of antisocial personality disorder: Development of a practice focused framework. International journal of law and psychiatry , 58 , 72-78. /
