There’s nothing really wrong with this movie – except maybe
a little unmotivated IRA action – but Black Mass doesn’t bring much innovation
to its genre either. Everything is capable,
from the mood through the plot to its characters, but Scott Cooper doesn’t
break any new ground in intensity, suspense or surprise here.
What really works in this film is the performances. Whitey Bulger is the best character Johnny
Depp has created in years. With his
prosthetic head piece, light blue contact lenses, and thin, draped build, Depp
holds the screen whenever is on it, particularly when we look into his eyes. And we're jarred when Bulger sociopathologically
oscillates between nice and murderous even though we’ve seen similar characters
do the same thing in other films.
The
rest of the cast is equally effective if less riveting. Joel Edgerton’s John Connolly is perhaps the
most complex character in the film. The
script calls for him to develop as a character, and Edgerton gives us a Connolly
whose posture and body language evolve in step with an increasingly sharp
wardrobe. Perhaps the best-written character in the film, Connolly has complexity as he uses Bulger to promote his own law enforcement career all the while remaining loyal to his friend, to the
point that his narcissism undermines his own marriage. It's a broad but taunt performance. Playing Connolly's spouse, Julianne Nicholson, makes surprisingly
effective use of her limited time on screen as Marianne Connolly, managing to show an
entire character arc in a handful of appearances and to anchor one of the
creepiest scenes of the movie. And
Benedict Cumberbatch gives us a loyal and conflicted "Billy" Bulger,
Whitey’s brother. In his restricted screen
time, we see the love between the brothers while recognizing the need for them
to stay apart.
Black Mass delivers a very competent gangster film with interesting characters and outstanding performances. We’ve seen
this before, but the acting here makes this film worth a look.
