2. Setting: Boston,
Mass.
The Neighborhood of South
Boston has a Boston:
well-chronicled
history of Irish
mob activity,
particularly in the
heavily Irish-
American
neighborhoods
like South
Boston.
4. Billy Costigan
Billy Costigan Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) is the
undercover gangster for the Special Investigations
Unit led by Captain Queenan. He is given the task
of infiltrating the mob led by Frank Costello. He
gets shot while attempting to take Staff Sgt.
Sullivan into custody.
5. Collin Sullivan (Matt Damon) was introduced to the life of crime
by Frank Costello. Sullivan works with the Special Investigations
Unit, trying to remain undercover for the mob. He dies at the end
when Sgt. Dignam shoots him in the head (the two never got
along in the movie)
6. Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) is an Irish-American Mobster in Boston.
He raises Colin Sullivan to become a mole in the Massachusetts State
Police. Sullivan shoots Costello to his death during an altercation with the
mob and police force.
7. Dr. Madolyn Madden (Vera Farmiga) plays the role of the moll. She builds
intimate relationships with both Billy and Colin. Once Billy exposes Colin’s
secret to Madolyn, she leaves Colin. After Billy’s death, she left Colin for good.
8. Don’t have an ego! As in all good gangster films, the characters’
downfall was because of his ego.
