Directed by : Scott Cooper
Written by : Mark Mallouk, Jez Butterworth
Starring : Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Cochrane, Jesse Plemons,
Release Date : September 17, 2015
If you've seen the trailer of "Black Mass" with the Yelawolf song "Till It's Gone," then it looks like this movie is going to be this high octane, exciting gangster crime thriller. It's not though. It has a slow but deliberate pace throughout the movie, with very few action sequences; although it doesn't shy away from showing bloody violence. There is however one primary reason to see this movie, and that's Johnny Depp's performance.
Johnny Depp plays Whitey Bulger like this intimidating but controlled monster, and it's just captivating to see him in the role. Although this is a gang story, the real tension isn't who is killing who, or who is betraying who, but seeing Bulger interact with other people and wonder if he is going to suddenly explode with violence. That feeling like everybody has to be walking on egg shells around Bulger because they don't want to die is just so palpable when watching this film. It's kinda terrifying.
Not to be outshined, but Joel Edgerton does a great job playing the secondary lead actor here as John Connolly, the FBI Agent who made a corrupted alliance with Bulger. This is where the strongest drama is with the story, as the FBI basically made a deal with the Devil, on the pretense that the end justifies the means. Connolly has this strong loyalty to South Boston and especially to Bulger, even if it means sacrificing his morality, and that's a good thematic story to think about.
"Black Mass" is based on the book about the true story of James "Whitey" Bulger, and it is a compelling tale. As captivating as Depp's performance is though, the movie itself may be a little too slow and disjointed to truly excite viewers.
loveditenjoyedit IT'S OKAY itsmehitsterrible
