Black Mass: Movie Review

I love mafia films! One of my favorites, “Donnie Brasco” stars Johnny Depp, who just-so-happens to be the star of “Black Mass”. I absolutely loathed director Scott Cooper’s previous film, 2013’s “Out of the Furnace”, still I held out hope that he would do justice to the true story of the notorious criminal James ‘Whitey’ Bulger. Unfortunately much like Cooper’s previous effort, “Black Mass” is slow, talky, and lacks a pulse. There are a few decent performances but the film is has no style and feels completely flat.

James ‘Whitey’ Bulger (Depp) was a small-time South Boston criminal who suddenly became the most powerful gangster in the city after turning FBI informant in exchange for protection. FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) grew up with Whitey and his Senator brother Billy Bulger (Benedict Cumberbatch). His plan was to use the information from Whitey to take down the Italian mafia in Boston. In exchange, the FBI would look the other way while he conducted his business. Things begin to spin out of control as Bulger’s activities make is harder and harder for the FBI to ignore.

The story of James ‘Whitey’ Bulger is one that is perfect for a feature film and if someone like Martin Scorsese handled the material, I am absolutely certain that we would have gotten a much better film. Hell, even Mike Newell (Donnie Brasco) would have been a better choice.

Although Depp is basically giving us another over-the-top performance, he is still fun to watch. Even if he is playing a truly awful real-life individual. I am usually a big fan of Edgerton, but I just wasn’t buying his performance here. Cumberbatch fairs a bit better but not by much. It felt like Kevin Bacon was forcing his Boston accent and I am glad he wasn’t given a whole lot of screen time. For me, the best performances came from Jesse Plemons who played Kevin Weeks, the youngest member of Whitey’s gang. Corey Stoll and Julianne Nicholson were also really good here.
I had high hopes for “Black Mass”, but ultimately it was a major disappointment. It isn’t a terrible film and die-hard fans of the mafia genre and true life stories might find enough here to like. I just wish the film had some life in it.

By: Marc Ferman