When FBI detective John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) returns to his native town of South Boston, arrives with a proposition to his old friend now Gang-leader, James 'Whitey' Bulger(Johnny Depp) to act as informant to take down the Anguilo Family in return for immunity. Bulger decides to use this to his advantage to increase his criminal agenda while the FBI can 'fight their wars' so to speak.
It is from this 'unholy alliance' emerges the underlying themes of the story such as the price of loyalty considering the 'history' between the two and those belonging to the Winter Hill gang as we see the story through flashback accounts of its various members. However, what disappoints me is that the movie really never shows us that much interaction between Connolly and Bulger considering how important this relationship is and how much Bulger influences Connolly throughout the movie. As a result it comes off a bit superficial, only believing in it because the characters say so.
Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart, Out of the Furnace) presents this downward spiral of a story in great style that consistently performs through the cinematography, production design and a chilling soundtrack by Tom Holkenberg. The movie illustrates what real organised crime is like and not something stylised akin to The Godfather or other examples. It shows us how brutal and cold-minded both the world and its people have to be and it is not beautiful. Though, in the midst of stylistic execution, many have raised complaints about the plot moving too slow and not that engaging and I agree with that to a certain extent. Most have claimed that this is due to the lack of a protagonist which could serve as our eyes in the story and that pretty much everyone is a villain. Again, I do see that viewpoint, but personally I did not face this problem as in my mind it felt like a ballad of these men and how just everything collapses around them.
Though I will say, the movie could have tightened things up in its direction and/or in its editing because the story takes place throughout a number of years and falls prey to some meandering and feels dragging round about the 2 hour mark. Much of it comes from too many dialogue scenes that seem too filler than seeing things that have a direct impact on the status-quo of the story.
Now the most important question, Is this the triumphant return of Johnny Depp to more serious roles?
Short version, yes ! Depp portrays the crime lord in a genuinely intimidating fashion that feels natural, even too natural perhaps. Bulger is brutal and has a strict set of moral rules that permeate into his gang, and he will make you face the consequences if you violate them. With some good writing behind him, he also manages to find and show us a more human character beneath the psychopath that is at times much more caring and respecting of familial ties than a normal person, a recurring theme of the movie. There is always a very strong sentimental motivation behind his actions and that arguably becomes the cause of his downfall.
Most of the character drama I believe, comes from Whitey Bulger and his interactions with the Winter Hill gang and for me they make the more entertaining parts of the movie.The gang definitely grounded the movie for me and it feels like in the end, it was about Bulger's sacrifice for the gang and its growth. Special mentions go to Rory Chochrane and Jesse Plemons as Stephen Flemmi and Kevin Weeks respectively. Dakota Johnson plays Lindsey Cyr, James Bulger's wife and she delivered a very good performance and her chemistry with Depp is also commendable as also is the storyline behind them. Benedict Cumberbatch is also in here as Senator brother William Bulger and he gives a good performance as usual. In the story it is implied that William, James and detective Connolly form like a triangle of partners-in-crime but the interaction between them is so rare that it doesn't connect as much emotionally.
On the FBI's side, Joel Edgerton also turns out a entertaining performance and I feel that his character was the one with a definite character arc. This makes it more disappointing that we did not more intereaction between him and 'Whitey'. Kevin Bacon was also thoroughly enjoyable as Charles McGuire while Corey Stall delivers a more focused performance as the 'bulldog' persecutor Fred Wyshak
In conclusion, Black Mass is a rather chilling character drama and it is not your Johnny Depp comedy romp which has become the trend. Its dark, very dark and even though it's not the best screenplay ever made, it provides some juicy subject matter for fans of crime dramas such as myself. But only crime fans for the exact reason could look past the shortcomings, in which case for the non crime-fans, the sheer acting power of the cast and the atmosphere will keep you engaged from time to time and for the very least watch it for Johnny Depp as James 'Whitey' Bulger. You will not be disappointed.
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