Review of Black Mass (2015) by Tony D — 30 Sep 2016
Black Mass' story interested me for personal, biographical reasons. I lived in Massachusetts while Whitey Bulger remained a legendary crime lord turned international fugitive, while his brother Bill still enjoyed the role of political elder statesman, president of the University of Massachusetts.
Questions swirled about their relationship & about the FBI's long-term protection of Whitey--a supposed confidential informant. I admired the script's treatment of Boston mob life and Bulger's manipulation of the FBI.
Every time Benedict Cumberbatch's compromised Bill Bulger veer between denial & complicity with his brother's criminal empire, I was engaged. But film's main problem festered right at the center.
No matter how Johnny Depp deepened his voice & grimaced, I just did not believe him as Boston's brutal gang lord, the cunning operator who infiltrated & deceived the FBI for years. I couldn't get over Depp's conspicuous makeup long enough to take his character seriously.
Fundamentally, there was something of the clowning impression about the performance--effects that would have worked in satire but not drama.
This review of Black Mass (2015) was written by Tony D on 30 Sep 2016.
Black Mass has generally received positive reviews.
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