Black Mass – Film Review by Emily Elphinstone

Director: Scott Cooper
Writers: Mark Mallouk (screenplay), Jez Butterworth (screenplay)
Stars: Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson

Based on the true story of James ‘Whitey’ Bulger, and the notorious ‘Winter Hill’ gang; Black Mass is a classic gangster movie, with a story that is most certainly stranger than fiction.

Jimmy Bulger (Johnny Depp) was one of the most powerful criminals in South Boston’s underworld throughout the 70s and 80s, due in part to his role as an FBI informant (or ‘consultant’ as he preferred to be known.) Recruited by FBI Special Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), who grew up in the same area; the initial reasoning was that Jimmy could provide the intelligence needed to take down the Italian Mob operating in the area.

In practice though, his increasingly close association with Connolly allowed new levels of power, as the FBI turned a blind eye to the Winter Hill Gang’s criminal activities, which included murder, narcotics, racketeering, money laundering, and weapons smuggling. Even more bizarrely, Jimmy also remained in close contact with his brother Billy Bulger (Benedict Cumberbatch), who was a hugely successful State Senator, until Jimmy’s empire finally crumbled and he was forced to go on the run; becoming one of the most wanted criminals in America.

Black Mass is as much an ensemble piece, as it is a vehicle to rejuvenate Depp’s career. In fact, some of the most fascinating moments in the film involved the supporting cast, including Peter Saarsgard as the truly unhinged dealer Brian Halloran, and Rory Cochrane as gang member Steve Flemmi. Depp meanwhile delivers a great performance as Jimmy, but there are times when the prosthetics, hair piece, and piercing blue contact lenses distract from the character.

Though some elements of the film may be heavily reminiscent of classic gangster films such as Goodfellas, Masanobu Takayanagi’s cinematography ensures that the film is visually satisfying, and the script by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth keeps things fresh. Directed by Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart), Black Mass may not be as historically accurate as it wishes to be; but it is utterly engaging throughout, and will surely create a buzz around awards season.