Director: Scott Cooper
By Alex Watson
A powerful central performance from Johnny Depp brings Scott Cooper's picture, Black Mass to life. The reign of James 'Whitey' Bulger in South Boston was a long and brutal one. Not helped by the fact this man had free rein from the FBI. Cooper is gives a bold and bloody depiction of one of most notorious gangsters in US history. An intelligent script from Jez Butterworth and Mark Mallouk, breathes new life into this genre and goes to show that gangster influenced through other means than money and violence.
James 'Whitey' Bulger (Johnny Depp) rules South Boston with an iron fist and through the 70's and 80's it became his personal playground. While his brother Billy (Benedict Cumberbatch) became a state senator, Jimmy decided to keep things in the neighbour. Former child friend turned FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) has a big idea. After great bargaining he convinces Jimmy to become a FBI informant, which allows him to clear his rivals. However, soon the bodies begin to pile up and Bulger soon abuses his immunity from prosecution. Soon loyalties will be tested as the FBI begins to wise up.
Black Mass is a film filled with all kinds of sharp turns and shocks. There is a heavy irony hanging over Bulger who with all his heart despises rats but yet he has become to biggest rat in the city. Bulger Throughout he is a nerving presences with his shaved head and piercing blue eyes. Cooper effectively nails his convoluted persona. At first he is the perfect gentleman, but the next moment he is putting a bullet through your skull. One dinner table scene sees him give a thinly veiled threat to a FBI agent for divulging his family secret for cooking steak and for rolling over so easily. In this moment his cold gaze is utterly terrifying as he says "Just saying... can get you buried real quick!"
Bulger isn't made out as an out-and-out psychopath and Cooper invests wisely in bring forward the trauma of losing his young son. The key moment that perhaps breaks his spirit is when his young wife Lindsey (Dakota Johnson) vows to 'pull the plug' on their boy's life support. He is a man beloved by his community who despises the Italians and especially the British. One small but vital sub-plot sees him proudly selling arms to the IRA. His brother Billy has in his eyes become one of the smug members of Cambridge, Mass. Throughout his older brothers actions are bane on his political career, but Billy takes no action because "Jimmy's business, is Jimmy's business."
Connolly is a man who believes in the loyalty of the neighbourhood and is in awe of his former friend. There is a alpha-male feel all throughout between these two figures and at times Connolly feels like the little boy still sucking up to the school bully. All around the bureau there is a feeling this will be a costly expenditure. Bulger fails to see becoming an informant a betrayal because it is not ratting. Also it gives him his goal of finally being rid of the Costra Nostra in the north end. Soon it becomes clear to the FBI that his 'intel' has been nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Connolly throughout is under the same delusion as Jimmy that everything will stay hidden. He still fails to see that his former friend has done nothing but play him and that he idolizes a man who has introduced drugs to kids all around his old neighbourhood.
Johnny Depp gives an Oscar quality performance as Whitey Bulger in Black Mass. A gripping presence throughout Cooper's movie, Depp shows the type of menace he is capable of pulling off and as Bulger he provides a wonderful frosty chill. Depp also appears comfortable with handling the heavier portions and his handling of the grief and devastation that Bulger feels at the loss of his son is truly magnificent. Joel Edgerton also continues his fine run of form and as Connolly he gives a wonderfully macho performance. This manis almost the villain of the piece due to his willing protect of a real monster. Edgerton gives him a likeable arrogance where even the most pessimistic can respect his wish for advancement.
Black Mass is one picture that we can at least expect to see in the acting categories come awards season. Johnny Depp may have had a couple of wobbling outings before, but this performance sees him climb right back on top!
