"Black Mass" (2015)

“Whitey Bulger Captured” screamed the headlines…and he was living in Santa Monica, California. Not some 3^rd world nation drinking pina coladas. Yes, the most feared gangster in Boston was finally nabbed while 12 years on the run. Did I ruin the movie for you? Nope. It’s not about his capture really. It’s about his life. And I had no clue who this suppose mythical gangster was.

“Black Mass” tells the story of Bulger’s connection with law enforcement to help capture bigger fish. However, the whole operation wasn’t exactly up to snuff. The FBI guys assign to him were from the neighborhood. And they used their own power to make sure Bulger was never on their radar. Well, on the radar of some. Does the ends justify the means? I think it’s entirely up to you to decide. I personally like using scumbags to kick up other scumbags. But, sometimes if you lay with the pigs, you will get dirty.

If this sounds familiar, a lot of it was borrowed for “The Departed” another cop/gangster thriller that had Jack Nicholson, more or less play White Bulger. Somehow Jack’s portrayal seemed more menacing. Johnny Depp plays Bulger in this one (literally this time). And he seems…less about manic violent temper and more like a victim of his own rumors. He’s very well aware of how people see him and his reputation. The unfortunate thing about this movie is that it is VERY honest to the truth. That’s also the reason why a lot of it doesn’t work. In fact, in some cases, we learn more about the FBI involvement, then Bulger’s crimes. None of it will come as shock or surprise. And the violence seems nonchalant. Which works both ways, since it’s almost numbing. We never get to know enough of their victims to care.

I will say that Depp gives his best. A low level intemperance that works good enough. Is it the best he’s been? I think at his age, it’s a great stepping stone back to more serious roles. He’s gotta’ stop with the oddball stuff. Much too old for that. Do I learn more about Bulger for it? Not really. That’s more a structural problem. I get glimpses of him being the benefactor of his neighborhood. A Robin Hood of criminals, I suppose. It’s a nice watch, if you don’t know much about Bulger. It’s grimy working class thuggery will be interesting. Otherwise, it’s not much different than “GoodFellas.”