Costello's Power (Explicit Language in clip)
William Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an undercover cop in Boston. He is investigating Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) to get information for the FBI. In the YouTube clip below William meets Costello for the first time. Costello interrogates William and has him searched. He even has William's cast broken open. To scare William even more, Costello bashes his broken arm with a shoe. During this scene William realizes that he will have no power with Costello or his gang. William experiences the chilling effect. Guerrero wrote, "According to the chilling effect, the less powerful person often hesitates to communicate grievances to the partner (Roloff & Cloven, 1990)."
Taking Matters in his Own Hands (Very Explicit Language in clip)
Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is part of the Special Investigative Unit at the Boston Police Department. Costello met Sullivan years ago and taught him his values and beliefs. Throughout the movie Sullivan protects Costello. But Sullivan feels disrespected as he is constantly yelled at and discouraged by Costello. In the YouTube clip below Costello is enraged with his gang about a past assignment. He and his gang leave to supervise a coke deal but is followed by a police tail. Sullivan warns Costello but is once again disrespected and tells his boss where the deal is going to happen. Sullivan avoids argument completely and takes matters in his own hands. According to Guerrero, "When using the avoiding style, people refrain from arguing and refuse to confront their partners in any meaningful way."
*For more information, see the "notes" page