Starring Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Cochrane, Kevin Bacon, Peter Sargaard and Juno Temple.
Written by Jez Butterworth and Mark Mallouk. Directed by Scott Cooper. 122 minutes long. Budget $53 million.
After a series of some seriously bad films dating back to 2004, Johnny Depp is back to prove he can act without a novelty hat opting for some staggering jarring electric blue contact lens in this hilarious, feel-good movie about a modern day American Robin Hood who despite being a bit of a rogue loved his mom and carried home the shopping of old ladies in the neighbourhood.
This is the bio-pic of James 'Whitey' Bulger the notorious American gangster who bludgeoned, butchered, and battered his way to the top of the criminal ladder with a little help from his former school-hood friend, as played by Joel Edgerton, who just so happens to be a member of the FBI and his brother, Benedict Cumberbatch, a US Senator.
This isn't an easy watch, Bulger is just an horrific character and his crimes so barbaric, particularly the brutal murder of a teenage prostitute that this becomes a grim and savage film to watch. Lacking the heart or skill of Good Fellas, which these seems to desperately be trying to be compared to, Black Mass is a film about a nasty man and despite the terrific performances and the skill of the film makers leaves a sour taste in the mouth, ultimately Bulger was and is a terrible human being and the attempts to humanise him feel a little grubby, it doesn't matter if he loved him mum or helped old ladies in his neighbourhood if he's chopping up the remains of men who've slighted him.
Depp is a revelation, but the contact lens were a step too far. You'll come for him, but leave feeling the need to have a shower.
8/10
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