WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Gangsters. Through the decades, they have been an ominous part of America’s history. From Al Capone to John Gotti to Michael Gambino, criminal bosses with ruthless reputations have conducted their nefarious enterprises with scary efficiency, though all ultimately coming to justice, one way or the other. It’s 1975 South Boston, and initially small time but ambitious hood James “Whitey” Bulger (Johnny Depp) is carving out a niche in his hometown streets. Resorting to complete fear and merciless violence to tow the line, Bulger slowly ascertains that the Italian mafia in North Boston is becoming too much of a competitive issue. Enter FBI agent, John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), who sees opportunity via an alliance with a devil as a means for cleaning up the Italians.
Against the better judgement of his boss Charles Mcguire (Kevin Bacon) and fellow agent John Morris (David Harbour), Connolly becomes embroiled in the Bureau’s desire to rid Boston of the mafia via turning Bulger informant, but “Whitey” and his crew have different ideas of what to do with their new found “freedom”. Soon, Bulger rises over 10 years to become the full on head of the Irish Mob in Boston, and his escalating involvements in murder, drugs, and racketeering soon begins to take its toll on Connolly, especially when involving Bulger’s brother Billy (Benedict Cumberbatch), a state senator. Added pressure then arrives in the form of new FBI boss Fred Wyshak (Corey Stoll), who decides it’s time Bulger be dealt with as the cost of shady dealings comes to a head.
Next, my Mind:
Make no mistake, “Black Mass” is a look through a disturbingly haunting window at the depths of corruption one man can attain when a moral conscious has no part in actions and decisions made. Extremely raw in language and visceral in its depictions of Bulger’s completely heartless, violent tendencies, the narrative moves along with frenetic yet balanced pace in likewise illustrating how Connolly’s pursuit of what seemed like a “good” idea goes woefully astray, to the point of it being far too late to save himself from what he was molded into by the time things were sorted out and Bulger’s reign was halted. A situation where wrongs only equated to more wrongs.
Depp is a genius, as far as this reviewer is concerned, is his portrayal of Bulger. The sheer intensity he brings is a force of nature in itself, just emoting so terrifyingly well as he navigates the persona of a man so focused and built on rage and cruel ambition that watching him turn it on and off was flat out unnerving. Edgerton’s performance as Bulger’s childhood friend, and then “handler”, Connolly is equally potent in its own right, as we see a man totally torn away from the law-abiding fiber he cherished, suddenly, tragically tainted so utterly by his deal with “Whitey”. Solid supporting turns by Cumberbatch, Bacon, Harbour, Rory Cochrane, Jesse Plemons, and Peter Sarsgaard add well to the proceedings.
Director Scott Cooper’s “Black Mass” is not for the timid in presenting a dark aspect of American history that, so often, I think we would rather not have to acknowledge or confront, though its reality and consequences remain.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
