Black Mass. Rated MA15+
(strong violence and coarse language). 122 minutes. Directed by Scott Cooper.
Screenplay by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth. Based on the book by Dick Lehr
and Gerard O'Neill.
Based on the true
story of ruthless Boston gangster James ‘Whitey’ Bulger (Johnny Depp) and his
lifelong friendship with FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), Black Mass is
a terrifying descent into the world of the consequences of blind and unconditional
loyalty. As Bulger snarls to one of his many unfortunate victims, ‘… of course
you had a choice … you just made the wrong one.’ What is compelling about this
moment, is that Bulger appears to be chastising himself for having done exactly
the same thing – knowing there will be no winners.
Masterfully
directed by Cooper (Crazy Heart), Black Mass takes place in a world ruled by
fear, paranoia and suspicion, superbly established from the opening scene when
Bulger’s accomplices are, one-by-one, telling investigators everything they
know about his formidable rule of the city. Then, in flashback, we return to
the many scenes of the crimes, within a slow boil to an endless, inescapable
hell.
Depp’s performance
as the tormented Bulger is devastating. Similarly to Charlize Theron’s Aileen
Wuornos in Monster (2003), Depp immerses himself entirely into the role, and
while his popularity never lets you forget it is Johnny Depp, the emotional and
psychological depths to which the actor reaches are astounding.
Within a superb
ensemble, Edgerton is outstanding as the brittle, opportunistic special agent
who uses his friendship with Bulger to obtain information about the Mafia who
rule the city, while conveniently turning a blind eye to his friend’s
increasingly megalomaniacal criminal activities.
The growling score
by Tom Holkenborg (Mad Max: Fury Road) is as deeply unsettling and relentless
as the story, provoking the action to its inevitable conclusion. Be warned.
Black Mass is a light and laughter-free zone, and its hold on your increasingly
frayed nerves will be complete.
This review was
commissioned by the West Australian Newspaper Group.
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