These are what we call the 'YMMV items.' Things that some people find in this work. We call them 'your mileage might vary' because not everyone sees these things in the same way. This starts discussions in the trope lists, a thing we don't want. Please use the discussion page if you'd like to discuss any of these items.
YMMV: The Departed
Acceptable Religious Targets: In the "Catholic priests are pedophiles" mold. One is mocked by Costello while another is mentioned as being a member of the Costigan family by Dignam early in the film.
Alternative Character Interpretation: Costello knows Costigan is a rat, but is too old and psychotic to care - and believes that, as he's an FBI informant and has Sullivan's help, he is untouchable anyway.
Consolation Award: Despite its 93% Rotten Tomatoes rating and placing second of Scorsese's films on the IMDb Top 250, as well as being the highest ranked film of 2006, there are critics who believe the Academy Awards it received for Best Picture and Best Director were make-up calls for Scorsese's previous moredeservingwork having been snubbed at the Oscars. Oddly, it's rare to find a comment suggesting this that specifically advocates any of the other nominees (with the arguable exception of The Prestige, which failed to get a Best Picture nomination, though even that film's director, Christopher Nolan said that Scorsese would have been a deserving winner whether or not The Prestige was nominated).
It's the Same, so It Sucks: As anyone who's seen both this and Infernal Affairs knows, the two are very, very, very similar, apart from how the remake has a less morally murky ending. Generally people prefer whichever one they saw first.
Narm Charm: Alec Baldwin is tremendously over the top in his usual way but is all the more funny and enjoyable because of it.
Also, Nicholson's performance. His unbelievable acting is completely hilarious, but it serves to make him so entertaining that the audience is forced to root for both him and the police.
