MovieChat Forums > The Departed (2006) Discussion > I am surprised that no one mentioned the...

I am surprised that no one mentioned the rat at the end


The symbolic rat that was walking on the guard rail in the very last scene was a nice touch. I am surprised that no one seemed to notice it. It seemed to be a nice touched fitting ending. Did it go unnoticed or was it something that other people did not find interesting?

Thomas Gibson has been fired from Criminal minds now I won't watch CM, No Hotch no watch

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It has been discussed here - but I can't find the post - it might be within another post - but the debate ranged from why a high rent apartment have rats to what did it mean?

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I'm wondering if Mark Wahlberg's character might have put it there for the symbolism of Sullivan (Matt Damon's character).

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I thought the rat on the railing at the end of the movie was a nice little touch of black humor, just before the credits went up.

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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/board/nest/225910790
The rat at the end was by far the worst part of an otherwise enjoyable movie. Believe me, everyone noticed it.

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I can't stand the sight of rats either.

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Felt a bit heavy-handed to me.

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Same here. Over-the-top symbolism.

Perhaps it was a homage to another film?

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Yes, I (and most everybody) noticed it. No, I did not find it interesting.
How the hell'd it get up there anyhow?

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I actually groaned aloud at that moment the first time I saw it in the theater. Very hokey ending to an otherwise tight film.

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Ralph Wiggum knows the score

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I thought it was cool

There are rats all over the big city. Boston where this takes place, and especially NYC where most of the movie was shot

The fact that it was an expensive, high rise, apartment building means nothing to the rat

Pickings are better, they survive everywhere



You don't have to stand tall, but you do have to stand up!

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I find the closing shot of the rat rather obvious and not as clever as most people make it out to be.

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I think the majority of people don't find it clever at all. In fact, it's almost offensive to an otherwise smart movie in how heavy handed it is.

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