My review of the film Black Mass released in September 2015

1. Black Mass – Movie review
An aptly titled film that gives a hint early on aboutthe nature ofthe main plotand the protagonist, Black
Mass is a sober and gripping crime drama based on real life Irish-American mobster James ‘Whitey’ Bulger
and his ’unholy alliance’– as called by the makers themselves, between Bulger and FBI. The film is directed

2. by ScottCooper and is based on the 2001 book ‘Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance
between the FBI and the Irish Mob’ by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill.
The film starts with the close-up ofa tape recorder, recording the confessions ofKevin weeks,a former
associate ofBulger to an FBI agent, thus taking us straight to the plotwith no frills or dramatic opening
scenes whatsoever. We hear the story of Bulger from a series ofconfessions from mostof his erstwhile
close associates, beginning with Weeks telling his first encounter with the mobster and his inclusion in to
Bulger’s Winter Hill gang. The early accounts establish a sense offear and evilness about Bulger, though
there is also the slight hint that he is loved by many among the Irish community in South Boston. During his
earlier days, in order to sustain his infamous ‘Winter Hill’ gang, Bulger is shown to be involved in various
racketeering activities like loan sharking and narcotics distribution. Bulger’s brother William ‘Billy’ Bulger, a
Boston senator is played by a much restrained Benedict Cumberbatch; initially one cannothelp but wonder
why such a hugely popular star ofhis caliber mightconsider playing this role ofnotmuch importance. But
as the story moves forward, one does realize that Cumberbatch with his solid and sober performance has
done greatjustice to this role. Apartfrom James Bulger, the other pivotal character is the FBI agent John
Connolly played by a vivacious and animated JoelEdgerton. Connolly is a childhood friend ofthe Bulger
brothers: whitey and Billy and after joining the FBI, he returns to his neighborhood and becomes central to
the plot. He is responsible for the nexus between Bulger and FBI, with the original aim of bringing down the
Anguilo brothers crime family who are the main rival of the winter hill gang and whose boss is the arch-
enemy ofBulger. Buthow Bulger uses the FBI to expand and consolidate his criminal network and control
over South Boston, forms the restof the plot. Edgerton portrays Connolly with such panache that he comes
off as a natural for this role. Another refreshing departure from other popular Hollywood films ofthis genre
is the limited depiction of Anguilo brothers as silhouettes, grainy pictures and back shots ofits leaders,
without leading us in to detailed sub plots.
Cinematography by Masanobu Takayanagi is effective in the story telling and with its close-ups and tightly
framed shots sets the mood and tonality for the grave premise ofthe film. Casting deserves praise, with the
choice ofactors creating a solid foundation for this engaging film. Thus the supporting cast with Rory
Cochrane playing Bulger’s righthand man, Stephen Flemmi; Kevin Bacon’s FBIboss Charles McGuire;
Erica McDermott playing Bulger’s wife Mary and mostnotably, Julianne Nicholson as Connolly’s wife
Marianne lend credible supportand their weightto the film. Peter Sarsgaard is impressive as the nervous,
drug addicted killer Brian Halloran in a brief but memorable role. This review would be absolutely pointless
without mentioning Johnny Depp’s performance as James Bulger. Depp carries the entire weightof the film
on his shoulders with one ofhis career bestperformances till date. He drives home the inherentevil of
Bulger with his cold and underplayed portrayal and also fits the role to a T with his bald looks and
menacing, large blue eyes (a fantastic work in makeup and prosthetics). Iwould recommend this film to you
if you are a hard-core movie buffand a fan of gangster-mafia stories, butwould not if you are looking for a
pleasantSaturday night movie watching experience especially with family and children as the film is a bit
excessive on violence and abusive language.
Vijay Ram