Black Mass Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

Johnny Depp is back in form, showing us a fantastic and creepy depiction of infamous James “Whitey” Bulger in the crime-drama Black Mass. 

Genre: Biography / Crime / Drama

Director:  Scott Cooper

Cast: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, Dakota Johnson, Peter Sarsgaard, Jesse Plemons, David Harbour, Adam Scott & Corey Stoll

Runtime: 122 min.

US Release: 18 September 2015

UK Release:  27 November 2015

German Release: 15 October 2015

Catching an early screening of Black Mass, I left the theatre positively surprised and somewhat disturbed. Johnny Depp gives a performance I haven’t seen from him in years—he truly knocks it out of the park. This crime drama tells the story of Boston’s gang boss James “Whitey” Bulger, his ties to the FBI, and ultimately, his fall from the crime throne.

In a nutshell, I found this movie interesting but lacking the emotional factor that would fully pull the audience in. The film has a hypnotic quality thanks to the incredible chemistry between Depp and Edgerton; sadly, that alone doesn’t carry the narrative, especially because the story itself lacks real depth.

Based on the true story of the infamous Winter Hill Gang leader, the plot revolves around James Bulger, who returns to Boston after serving a nine-year prison sentence. Bulger immediately picks up his crime business and brings in fresh blood. Former friend and now FBI agent John Connolly contacts Bulger and his brother, Senator William Bulger, devising a plan in which Whitey will act as an informant for the Bureau.

In truth, though, both men use the arrangement to cover each other’s backs and climb the ranks of their professions. Once the FBI takes down the Italian mafia, Bulger seizes the opportunity and becomes the new kingpin of Boston’s underworld. But the business between Whitey and Connolly soon spirals out of control when a new attorney, determined to bring down Bulger, starts building a case.

I found Black Mass difficult to rate. Although its premise is intriguing and the acting fantastic, I couldn’t connect with the film for several reasons. I’m not saying it isn’t worth watching; it is, but at the end of the day, the movie doesn’t offer much to remember it by.  

Black Mass reminded me a lot of crime dramas like Casino or Goodfellas (both by Martin Scorsese), largely because it has no true character to root for. Everyone in this film is either corrupt, despicable, or downright morally bankrupt, which makes it incredibly tough to connect with anyone. The main difference between this and Scorsese’s films, however, lies in the dialogue, and this is where Black Mass falters.

Another issue I had with Cooper’s crime drama was the pacing. The movie jumps through time abruptly, cutting off parts of the story that would have been fascinating to see, ultimately disturbing the narrative flow.

Acting-wise, though, this movie is a real treat! As I mentioned, Johnny Depp genuinely impressed me—he was unbelievable. He dropped his Sparrow-isms and fully immersed himself in the role of James “Whitey” Bulger. It wasn’t just how he walked and talked; those cold, dead eyes sent a shiver down my spine. I was truly creeped out by this guy.

Joel Edgerton shines as FBI agent Connolly, and his chemistry with Depp is exceptional. I was particularly impressed by how this Australian-born actor nailed the Boston accent, one of the hardest accents to understand, let alone replicate.

Benedict Cumberbatch, though in a smaller role, was great as well. He plays Bulger’s younger brother Bill, a U.S. senator, and like Edgerton, he handles the accent with ease. I only wish we had seen more of him and learned more about his persona.

Visually, this was a beautifully shot film, with fantastic setups, including one of the best dinner scenes I’ve seen in a crime drama. The way that sequence was captured, with the wide shot of the table, followed by close-ups isolating each character’s emotions, was simply fantastic.

Verdict: Black Mass is a movie I can’t fully put my finger on. It features several standout performances, led by Depp’s chilling portrayal of Bulger, and it looks stunning. But the script and the lack of emotional resonance leave the film feeling thinner than it should. I’m giving Black Mass a 7.0 out of 10, and I recommend catching it during a cinema discount day or renting it once it hits streaming, because it’s not exactly a film you’ll watch twice.

Did you see Black Mass already? If so, what did you think of it? Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed my review.