Mr Johnny Depp is no stranger to gangster movies. From Donnie Brasco and Blow to Public Enemies, he has experience of the world of big screen organised crime. Black Mass carries on this trend with Depp at the top of his game in this violent fact based drama from director Scott Cooper. He plays James “Whitey” Bulger, a Boston mob boss who used the FBI to get rid of his rivals. Joel Edgerton is the FBI agent who thinks he can keep Whitey on a leash and use him to further his career. Sounds good doesn’t it?
The first feeling I had when watching Black Mass was “this is a bit like Goodfellas but not as good”. You can probably stop reading now as that statement sums the film up pretty well. The makers have obviously been inspired by Martin Scorcese’s genre classic but by inviting the comparison it immediately reveals its shortcomings. There aren’t many scenes that blow you away or punch you in the gut like in the classic gangster films. It’s main selling point is Johnny Depp acting a creepy old bastard.
This leads me to the best thing about the movie – the fantastic cast. Big hitters like Depp, Kevin Bacon, and Benedict Cumberbatch are joined by up and comers such as Joel Edgerton, Corey Stoll, and Adam Scott in his most notable dramatic role since his erotic part in Hellraiser 4. The female parts are limited to the wives of the main men but Dakota Johnson and Julianne Nicholson make the best of what they’ve got. However it’s Depp we came to see and he’s excellent. I thought it would be another gimmicky Depp dressing-funny-with-a-weird-voice role but he actually brings Whitey chillingly to life. He looks like some kind of ancient vampire with his gaunt appearance and piercing blue eyes.
It’s a shame the writers and director haven’t put in as much effort to the main character as Depp has. We never really get into the head of the man meaning its Edgerton’s character that has a much more interesting story arc. Also the plot just skims the surface of what Bulger’s criminal empire actually did, only focussing on the crazy things Whitey did. Black Mass is a solid if uninspiring example of the true crime gangster genre. It’s inspirations are obvious and it fails to tread its own path, never emerging from the shadows of much better mob movies. Great performances and a good portrayal of Boston in the 70s and 80s mean Black Mass is worth a watch if you’re a fan of the genre or want to lose the crush you have on Johnny Depp.
6/10
What do you think of Black Mass? Have you ever been the head of a mafia-style criminal mob? Does the Boston accent make you giggle like it does me? Let me know in the comments below.
Screenkicker Quality Index (SQI)
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Screenkicker! 
We’re all just waiting for your SPECTRE review.
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We could do a dual review, a couple of mini reviews published at the same time!
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Been looking forward to checking this one out because, well, Depp has been really disappointing for a while now, but this is a genre he used to understand. Will see. Great work!
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I agree. That strip poker scene was entirely too graphic for me too. 😉 Haha! Oh you crack me up Mikey.
I really liked this. But your observations are totally valid, this treads in a familiar path with crime films far superior to it numbering probably in the hundreds. Lol. But Idk, something about Scott Cooper’s way of directing, the atmosphere he always brings, I dig it.
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Yeah I agree, but I found Cooper’s directing a bit flat. His films seem to approach greatness but then fall off into just OK. Still worth a watch
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I find your directing a bit flat. 😉
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I find your chest a bit flat. Wait that doesn’t make any sense!
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Sounds like it’s worth watching for the great cast, love the humour in your review Mike.
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Thanks Vinnie! Yeah it’s an amazing cast, so many big names in there
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I may give it a watch some time soon then.
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Great review, Mike! 🙂 I already lost my crush on Depp several years ago. Think his Willy Wonka didn’t help! 😦 Nothing will ever top Edward Scissorhands. And, yes, the Boston accent makes me giggle a little as well. I’m happy to hear that Depp is at least good in this, though, as he used to be GREAT. He’s been so disappointing in recent years. He used to be one of my very favorite actors. I’m looking forward to this now just for his performance. And I’d love to see you with Joel Edgerton’s hair in that photo.
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Nice to hear that Johnny Depp has finally crawled his way out of the Crayon box and into the skin of a real human being.
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Almost but not quite! His character is quite out there
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It’s too bad it failed to distinguish itself at all.
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I have to say that I really disliked hi s film but not enough to really care. It was just boring, unwatchable dribble. Much like most of my reviews.
Benedict was a hellish addition to the cast.
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I didn’t think it was unwatchable just quite derivative and unsurprising. I agree – Cumberbatch was awful in it
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