THV11 Movie Review: Black Mass

Depp gives a performance reminiscent of his roles in “Blow” or ‘Public Enemies, ‘ with his physical appearance slightly altered and his character that of a terrifying, psychopathic criminal.

Bulger’s infamous criminal mischief began when he was only 14, but as the years crept on, Bulger was no long mischievous, but murderous.

Bulger inspired Jack Nicholson’s character in The Departed, and because Nicholson chew and spat that part out, Depp’s version seems nearly comically feeble. When FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) is transferred back to his hometown of Boston and ordered to go after the Italian Mafia in the ’70s, he puts out feelers to Whitey through his younger brother and friend, politician Billy Bulger (Benedict Cumberbatch). As a result, the investigation of Bulger and his gang intensified whereas previously, much of his activity had been overlooked since he was working as an informant. His John Connolly is a man who can’t come to grips with who he is or even wants to be, putting on airs of false confidence and bravado to convince his wife, bosses, and colleagues of his sincerity and innocence – constantly spinning plates until the Bulger investigation brings everything crashing down. By comparison Black Mass is flat and lifeless. In this case Bulger had fed intelligence to Connolly and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in exchange for protection in their burgeoning crime empire. Ten years later, in 1985, Bulger faced the death of his mother.

And when will Hollywood ever learn that phony colored eye contacts also make your actors look fake? Unfortunately the technique isn’t consistent, instead opting to stay glued to Depp’s Whitey even when no one is bearing witness.

Depp, now 52, has knocked on Oscar’s door three times, with best actor nominations for “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”, “Finding Neverland”, and “Sweeney Todd“. As James “Whitey” Bulger, the most ferocious gangster in South Boston once, he is cruel and merciless, without the now-overbearing tics or mannerisms.

Depp recently said during an interview that he did make an attempt to meet Bulger.

“Johnny Depp might as well have been playing the Mad Hatter all over again as far as James Bulger is concerned”, Bulger’s defense attorney Hank Brennan told People magazine.

What he was surprised to learn when researching the role.

Many viewers took to Twitter to express their love or hatred for the film.

BLACK MASS has historical details and craft to recommend it, but it feels more like reading a well-written newspaper article than a book; it’s more bullet points (pardon the pun) than an immersive experience.