​FILMS

black mass

2015 review number 151:

Black Mass: (Drama/Crime): 78 out of 100: Johnny Depp has been disappointing recently so it's a treat to see him return to winning form. If he was awful in Mortdecai, he is absolutely mesmerising in Black Mass. This is a solid gangster film which depicts the Boston Irish Mob crew known as the Winter Hill Gang, led by James 'Whitey' Bulger (Depp). The only fault lies in the 20 year time span of the depiction which results in many characters coming and going.

 

Whitey Bulger was a notorious violent criminal in South Boston, also known as Southie. It is heavily populated with Irishmen. The leader of an Irish gang which flourished in the 1970s and 1980s was Bulger. He becomes a protected species when he turns FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his territory. FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) was a childhood friend of Whitey along with his brother, Billy (Benedict Cumberbatch), who is now a member of the Massachusetts State Senate. He is given the responsibility of liasing with Whitey to provide the FBI with the necessary tools to decimate the Mafia. However, it comes to the attention of people like head agent Charles McGuire (Kevin Bacon) that the evidence that Bulger is providing is only second-hand to allow him to commit brazen criminal acts and to defy the authorities. Bulger's personal life is also under the spotlight when tragedy strikes in his relationship with Lindsey Cyr (Dakota Johnson).

 

Depp is superb in another role where he proves that he can be an excellent character actor. This time around he disguises himself with thinning hair and blue contact lenses. His portrayal is menacing and he doesn't resort to hysterics to exert his authority. Just his menacing stare is threatening enough. He is ably supported by Edgerton who is another Aussie who convinces with an American accent, along with Cumberbatch who is torn between politics and family. Gang members including Kevin Weeks (Jesse Plemons) and Steve Flemmi (Rory Cochrane) demonstrate the awe in which they hold their leader. Johnson is convincing as Lindsay Cyr, highlighting the family side which isn't often documented in the life of a criminal.

 

The movie is presented as a recount of the turbulent times of the Winter Hill Gang with key members being interviewed by the FBI to extract incriminating evidence against Bulger. Due to the nature of this recount, the story becomes episodic at times and with so many characters, becomes a little difficult to remember who's who.

 

The music score by Junkie XL is cool and snazzy, providing a rich layer of atmosphere to the tense situations. Credit must also go to the production design in establishing the fact that this film is set in the 1970s and 1980s. The set decorations immerse you in a different time and place.

 

This is not the ultimate gangster film because the suspense is not as tense as masterpieces like The Godfather and Goodfellas. However, it is a convincing depiction of a notorious gang highlighted by an excellent performance by Johnny Depp.

 

Starring Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Kevin Bacon and Peter Sarsgaard

(122 minutes)

Parental advice: Violence, coarse language, sexual references, adult themes and drug use

Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, during the credits we see real-life photos of the key characters from the story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE3e3hGF2jc (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Thursday 8th October, 2015)

 

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