Directed by:
Scott CooperCinematography:
Masanobu TakayanagiComposer:
Tom HolkenborgCast:
Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Kevin Bacon, Peter Sarsgaard, Jesse Plemons, Rory Cochrane, David Harbour, Adam Scott (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Johnny Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the story of this unholy alliance, which spiralled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history. The film also stars Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch as Whitey’s brother, powerful State Senator Billy Bulger; Rory Cochrane as Steve Flemmi, Whitey’s closest partner in crime; Jesse Plemons as Whitey’s main henchman, Kevin Weeks; and Kevin Bacon as FBI Special Agent in Charge Charles McGuire; Dakota Johnson as Lindsey Cyr, Whitey’s former girlfriend and mother of his only child and Peter Sarsgaard as Brian Halloran. (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
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Reviews (8)
A two-hour conversational reconstruction of real events, where everything is perfectly fine, but at the same time nothing surprises, nor does it significantly break us out of the lethargy of the monotonous and emotionally alienating narrative. We don't identify with the characters, we merely follow their pre-plotted fates through the eyes of a disinterested judge, just as the deliberately austere direction does. I enjoyed Depp's amazing performance (that's how you act with your eyes), the well-written dialogues and Junkie XL's signature music, but the rest remains well in the shadow of classic works of the Hollywood mafia school.
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Not great, but very watchable average. I understand that not everyone can be Scorsese, but this narrative flows on a wave of blandness, with only three interesting scenes in the whole film, until you start wondering about the wasted potential. And then the well-known truth that a film is as charismatic as its lead doesn't help either. It’s a pity, because Depp is amazing. His piercing, sinister look and the way he speaks will make you crawl across the table in fear. Great job, Johnny, it's a shame the film itself can't keep up with you.
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The biggest mafia screw-up in a long time. A film absolutely devoid of drama and suspense, without the much needed period filler to create the right atmosphere. If it weren't for Johnny Depp with a ton of makeup and a couple of stars in supporting roles, I'd think Scott Cooper had moved into pure B-movie waters. Gone is the rawness and industrial cover of Out of the Furnace. Here they feel that a few period costumes and some decent murders will be enough, but no. The film is almost devoid of music and the little there is, well, Junkie XL doesn't know which way to go and his score fits more into mystery horror than a gangster flick. The characters are absolutely devoid of energy, with a monstrous amount of audience alienation. This material had massive potential, but it would have had to be handled by a more sophisticated filmmaker. It's a bit remotely reminiscent of American Hustle with the costume design, and that one also had a lot of wasted potential, but Black Mass wants so badly to be American Gangster, yet it's not even remotely that.
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Johnny Depp at his best! It's great to see Johnny back after all those failures and even in such a demonic performance. The story is interesting, and it almost always is if you tell a story about the most feared gangster. The film also has a very enjoyable pace, a raw delivery at times and the highlight is the dinner at a table of friends where the tension hangs in the air and makes makes you feel sick, yes that's how disturbing Depp is. The finale, typical of these gangster biopics, is also pleasing, giving real details of all involved. If you like gangster films, you should be satisfied. 80%.
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Valuable for mapping real events. With a plethora of stars (why did Kevin Bacon disappear from the big screen?), but dramaturgically weak, Black Mass is dull, with only one or two scenes that really get to the viewer. Depp’s transformation, however, is chilling and admirable.
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