BLACK MASS (review)

James “Whitey” Bulger.

If you are from Massachusetts, specifically the Boston Area, you know that name.

Hell, if you were alive and cognizant at some point during the last forty years, you know that name.

You know the story that goes along with it.

You also know the man attached to it.

Black Mass is this story.

Johnny Depp is “Whitey”

For those of you who have been living under  rock for the last forty years, Black Mass is the story of one time FBI informant turned FBI Most Wanted Man, James “Whitey” Bulger as he takes his standing as a small time South Boston Irish gangster and turns it into one of the most powerful and feared man in the city, all thanks to a deal cut with the FBI in the mid seventies to bring down the North End Italian Mafia. 

For twenty plus years Bulger murdered, extorted, dealt drugs and laundered money hand over fist while the FBI turned a blind eye. This tentative alliance fell apart when a new DA was brought in and began unraveling just how deep and twisted Bulger had his hnds in the pockets of the FBI, namely his old time friend and agent John Connolly and his team. 

With no one to protect him he went on the run for over 12 years only to finally be captured and charged with 19 counts of murder, conspiracy, narcotics distribution, extortion and shoplifting. He is serving two consecutive life sentences plus five years.

In Black Mass, Johnny Depp finally brings in a performance that all but obliterates the memory of the past Tim Burton mishaps and staggering Capt. Jack-scapades. 

Depp has said that this is his favorite out of all the films he has done and I would have to agree. I wouldn’t be surprised if he brings home the Oscar this year, if for no other reason that he nails the Southie accent. In fact the entire cast should be commended because this is the first film ever that didn’t star a Wahlberg or an Affleck or Damon where every Boston accent was nigh perfect. 

From the performance by Joel Edgerton as brash, John Connolly to Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Whitey’s brother and State Senator, Billy Bulger (special kudos goes to Cumberbatch who had to pitch his voice higher to match Billy’s higher toned voice. It was almost disturbingly good).

The cast of Black Mass is spectacular and it is one of those films that makes you wish they gave an ensemble award at the Oscar’s. Along with Depp, Edgerton and Cumberbatch, the rest of the cast which features, Dakota Johnson as Bulger’s girlfriend Lindsey Cyr, Kevin Bacon as FBI agent Charles McGuire, Peter Sargaard as Bulger associate Brian Halloran, Jesse Plemons as Winter Hlll Member turned stool pigeon Kevin Weeks, Rory Cochrane as Bulger’s muscle Steve Flemmi, David Harbour as Agent John Morris, Adam Scott as straight shooting FBI Agent Robert Fitzpatrick all shine in their respective roles as does all of the supporting cast as well.

Director, Scott Cooper has brought together this amazing cast and gotten a fine tuned screenplay by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth. Cinematographer, Masanobu Takayanagi photographs Boston with the love as if he was born here.

Somehow, however the film itself falls flat.

In some aspects it is as amazing and unbelievable as Bulger’s story itself. In other ways, it is a very pedestrian bio pic that is indistinguishable from a Biography Channel documentary. 

With a story like Bulger’s, one that was in the headlines off and on for decades and with a “trial of the century” circus that just ended not too long ago,. this film doesn’t add anything new or innovative to what we saw on the evening news or online. Maybe it was out of some misplaced respect to the victims. Maybe the director wasn’t up to the challenge, but I left the film, acting performances not withstanding, feeling a bit let down. 

Two things struck me as I watched this. The film focuses more on FBI Agent John Connolly than it does “Whitey” and the Winter Hill Gang and Martin Scorsese did it much better in both Goodfellas and The Departed. It really isn’t fair to compare the three films. Not many people can be Martin Scorsese. Most don’t even try. But when you are running in the same genre as him you either have to bring something new to the race or really be able to pace him. Cooper does neither. 

Don’t get me wrong. He made a fine film, but with a subject like Bulger and a source material coming from the book of the same name, fine just doesn’t cut it. I wanted the film to match the performances I saw in Depp and company. I wanted a film worthy of the infamous and reviled, “Whitey”.

This film is going to get accolades.

It is going to get awards.

It is going to be praised.

It will deserve all it gets.

I just wish it gave me more.

Go see it. Live it again. And remember, Boston used to be a scary ass place to live in.

Go Pats!