BLACK MASS Review

BLACK MASS Review by Carlos Aguilar.

Whimsical Johnny Depp and his outrageously colorful disguises take a break to allow for a much more sinister facet of the actor to shine in Scott Cooper’s “Black Mass.” True, there are no hats or funny mustaches here, but that doesn’t mean that the actor sports a natural look, not at all. For better or worse makeup is a crucial part of the performance that enhances the character’s alienation. As vicious kingpin James “Whitey” Bulger the chameleonic star gives us something to be afraid of every time he is on screen. It’s in the quite mannerisms and the fake benevolence that evil exists in its stronger form. Aging, with white slicked back hair, and reptilian features, transforms the man into a monster.

We meet Bulger as a respected criminal who came home to South Boston -or “Southie”- after a long sting in Alcatraz and built an illicit empire grounded on loyalty. Like with most old-school gangster stories, this loyalty is the blood with which deals are signed. A single attempt at breaking that bond and jeopardize the operation means instant demise. That part of it is very clear as bodies pile up – we see at least a handful of murders being committed on screen – and we become sort of indifferent to them as the film goes by. Each time someone crosses Bulger, or even if there is the slightest doubt about someone being a rat, we know they have made their final mistake. This is clear-cut, black and white, no middle grounds. That’s scary stuff.

Added to his notoriety in the streets, the protagonist also benefits from the fact that his younger brother is a state senator, Billy Bulger, played here by Benedict Cumberbatch. Because whether or not the politician helped Jimmy or not, their connection gave the mobster a certain status. But “Whitey” is not all darkness, Cooper makes sure to let us know how affected the villain was by the loss of his loved ones and his fascination with helping the IRA free the “old country” back in Europe. This story, that of “Whitey” Bulger’s horrific antics and disregard for human life on the one hand, while showing tender concern for a few people like his elderly mother and young son, is very effective. Unfortunately, the plot quickly shifts to another character and never fully returns to form.

FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), who grew up with Billy and Jimmy in the rough Southie projects, wants to bring down the biggest criminal organization in the city. In order to achieve such feat, he recruits “Whitey” as an informant – of course Bulger doesn’t call it that because it’ll be ratting – and gives him protection considering him a small time bad guy. When Bulger actually provides significant information to help bring down his competition, Connolly feels vindicated in the eyes of his suspicious superiors and coworkers, played by Kevin Bacon and Adam Scott in tiny parts, which encourages him to continue the partnership. In other words, Connolly falls into Bulger’s game and ends up fighting his battles on the basis that they are like family.

Edgerton’s character becomes front and center of the film and his road to perdition is less interesting than observing Depp’s menacing calmness. Each time the Academy Award-nominated actor is on screen one expects something terrible to occur and it often does, delivering on his violent reputation. However, by far the most successful moment in the film, which is only possible because of what we’ve witnessed prior to it, is a scene where no one gets hurt but the latent possibility of it becomes searing. A dinner table conversation and a visit to Connolly’s wife are the highlights of Depp’s makeup-heavy performance.

“Black Mass” is a film to watch for Depp and for the small moments that truly deliver chilling insight into the mind of the killer. But while the tittle can lend itself to interpretation, by the end of the film one feels like what we’ve just watched is actually called “Connolly’s Choice.” Definitely a less compelling title, though more accurate, for an equally misguided movie.

BLACK MASS is now playing in theaters nationwide.