“What he did completely changed the scene!” : This brilliant scene from The Departed owes everything to Jack Nicholson

Sometimes all it takes is an unexpected event unrelated to filming, a witty remark, or an actor’s ability to improvise to transform certain scenes into memorable moments. This is the case with Jack Nicholson in Martin Scorsese’s The Departed.

The naysayers were quick to point out, without some bitterness, that the master finally won the Oscar for Best Director for a film that is actually a remake of the HK thriller, Infernal Affairs, and not for his past works such as. Casino, Raging Bull or Franchise. Prevents.

infiltrators It remains a great film, with a strong presence, especially the absolutely brilliant and terrifying Jack Nicholson, in the guise of Frank Costello, inspired by real-life local Boston godfather James “Whitey” Bulger.

Among the film’s memorable scenes is one where Costello confronts Billy (Leonardo DiCaprio) to find out if he is the mole, or rather the rat, he is looking for. A scene of high tension where Nicholson completely surrendered to his genius.

Here it is again for fun…

DiCaprio, who, like Matt Damon, worked with the Shining actor for the first time, got into a real storm, as he explained in an interview. telegraph : “She’s a force of nature and you have to be prepared to get into trouble. There were times during filming when I didn’t know what was going to happen next.”

That was the case in this scene. The moment when Costello pulls the gun from under the table and plays it in front of a terrified Billy was another Nicholson improvised moment. “When I turned up, Jack was completely confused. He was whispering and the props guy told me he had a fire extinguisher, a bottle of whiskey, a match and a gun somewhere.

So I sat down at the table, I didn’t know what to expect, and he set it on fire after spilling whiskey everywhere and sticking a gun in my face (…) It completely changed the dynamic of the scene and that’s what he does – he really makes it better and It pushes you to respond as an actor.” said King Leo.