Crime may never pay but that hasn’t stopped Hollywood from cashing in. The Godfather and The Sopranos are amongst the many popular mainstays. Having intricate relationships between gangs in common, those two works set a benchmark in exploring mob culture.
Black Mass gamely tries to add its own take. As gritty as its predecessors, it doesn’t add anything new but has enough rough sheen to prove why such movies continue to be enduring.
John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) and James Bulger (Johnny Depp) have grown up on Boston’s mean streets. Becoming an FBI agent, John reunites with his childhood friend in an unexpected way. Head of the Irish mafia, James is a dangerous criminal soon on the FBI’s most wanted list. Lethal in his dealings, James catches the ire of the Italian mob. Caught in the deadly crossfire, John must choose between personal sentiment and career loyalty in order to take James down.
Directed with raw finesse by Scott Cooper, Black Mass is gripping mostly due to Depp’s intensely menacing
performance. Using his deep blue eyes almost as an intimidating weapon, Bulger’s reign of terror knew no bounds. His violent, psychotic actions take on new dimensions knowing the film is based on true events. How he manipulated those around him, including his supposed close friends, gives Black Mass a strong spine in which to carry its story.
Edgerton is fine too as Bulger’s misguided friend caught in his web. The quality of his acting matches those of his co-stars who successfully conjure the era in which Black Mass is set. Whilst there are moments of predictability given the familiar material, Depp’s magnetic characterisation and general authenticity provide engagement. Hardly a frame is wasted, which is a credit to Cooper, ’s allowing his characters to drive the story rather than simply having endlessly violent action.
Black Mass is full of the shady crime that devotees should admire. It is often disturbing and ugly but that’s the point of a film purporting to be presenting facts. It does this well with the prospect of more crime movies like this one as certain as the ongoing vicious nature of crime itself.
Reviewed by Patrick Moore
Twitter: @PatrickMoore14
Rating out of 10: 7
More News
