The true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the
most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who
became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf.
Director:
Scott CooperWriters:
Mark Mallouk (screenplay), Jez Butterworth (screenplay),Stars:
Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson |Storyline
John Connolly and James "Whitey" Bulger grew up together on the streets
of South Boston. Decades later, in the late 1970s, they would meet
again. By then, Connolly was a major figure in the FBI's Boston office
and Whitey had become godfather of the Irish Mob. What happened between
them - a dirty deal to trade secrets and take down Boston's Italian
Mafia in the process - would spiral out of control, leading to murders,
drug dealing, racketeering indictments, and, ultimately, to Bulger
making the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. Written by
E Anderson and J. Breaux
User Reviews
'Black
Mass' is another is a line of crime dramas set in Boston. The film will
inevitable be compared to 'The Departed.' And it falls short in the
comparison. The acting is top rate, and Depp is much better, not as
hammy, than the comic portrait of a crime boss by Nicholson in 'The
Departed.' Depp is genuinely threatening in the film and the make-up job
given him in the film adds to the fright.
'Black Mass' has the look of a 70s television show, and that works in its favor. In fact, the overall look of the film is exquisite. That, and the acting, are the two best things in the film. However, the movie is both too much and not enough.
'Black Mass' tries to cover too much and thus it lacks focus. This is where 'The Departed' succeeds. While 'The Departed' has many layers and character, it has a focus: the Southie, Billy. 'Black Mass' doesn't have a main theme, a main character, a main protagonist or antagonist. There are a bunch of characters in tense situations with some irony and symbolism. However, in the end, there is nothing to hold onto, no lessons, no emotions, love or hate, for any characters.
As I was watching, both my film buddy and I thought the same thing: Scorsese could have made this story work with his writing and directing. We also thought that in an era of long- form television that it could have made a great 10-20 episode show. Then it could have gone into depth about the childhood relationships between crime boss Bulger, his FBI friend Connolly and Whitey's brother, State Senator Billy Bulger.
As miniseries, it could have more deeply explored the racial tensions between the Irish and Italians with the African Americans stuck in the middle. It could have taken a deeper look into Boston politics and corruption, police corruption, and more. The miniseries could have also gone further into the Irish American funding of the IRA. As it was, it touched on each of those issues in an unsatisfactory fashion. If the film had taken a deeper look into any ONE of those themes, it would have made for a better movie.
Rating: Matinée
For the great look and outstanding acting, I suggest you see it on the big screen. Otherwise, wait for the miniseries. Hey, a man can dream.
Peace, Tex Shelters
'Black Mass' has the look of a 70s television show, and that works in its favor. In fact, the overall look of the film is exquisite. That, and the acting, are the two best things in the film. However, the movie is both too much and not enough.
'Black Mass' tries to cover too much and thus it lacks focus. This is where 'The Departed' succeeds. While 'The Departed' has many layers and character, it has a focus: the Southie, Billy. 'Black Mass' doesn't have a main theme, a main character, a main protagonist or antagonist. There are a bunch of characters in tense situations with some irony and symbolism. However, in the end, there is nothing to hold onto, no lessons, no emotions, love or hate, for any characters.
As I was watching, both my film buddy and I thought the same thing: Scorsese could have made this story work with his writing and directing. We also thought that in an era of long- form television that it could have made a great 10-20 episode show. Then it could have gone into depth about the childhood relationships between crime boss Bulger, his FBI friend Connolly and Whitey's brother, State Senator Billy Bulger.
As miniseries, it could have more deeply explored the racial tensions between the Irish and Italians with the African Americans stuck in the middle. It could have taken a deeper look into Boston politics and corruption, police corruption, and more. The miniseries could have also gone further into the Irish American funding of the IRA. As it was, it touched on each of those issues in an unsatisfactory fashion. If the film had taken a deeper look into any ONE of those themes, it would have made for a better movie.
Rating: Matinée
For the great look and outstanding acting, I suggest you see it on the big screen. Otherwise, wait for the miniseries. Hey, a man can dream.
Peace, Tex Shelters
