Black Mass review

Black Mass tells the story of infamous Boston crime lord James ‘Whitey’ Bulger. During his rise to the top of Boston's underworld, Bulger became an FBI informant before appearing on the Most Wanted List for 12 years after going on the run.

The title Black Mass refers to the ‘unholy alliance’ formed between Bulger and the FBI: this alliance meant that for years Bulger was allowed to commit crimes such as murder, extortion, and racketeering with relative impunity as long as he provided useful information on his mafia rivals.

With its sombre tone and lack of stylisation, Black Mass is less Martin Scorsese flick and more true crime documentary. The film's grittiness is reflected in Johnny Depp's performance as the main character. With his pale skin and eyes, Depp’s Bulger looks positively vampiric as he stalks the streets of Boston’s south side brutally overseeing the deaths of anyone he suspects of crossing him.

His character’s viciousness extends not just to his enemies but also to those he supposedly loves. This is illustrated in a scene where he and his girlfriend discuss their son as he lies in a coma nearby. Although the boy is brain dead and his mother in favour of pulling the plug, Bulger is not content with this. He cruelly questions his girlfriend’s character and snarls the words ‘my boy, my boy’ as if speaking about a possession rather than a person. 

The other cast members, however, including Kevin Bacon and Benedict Cumberbatch, feel somewhat wasted as they’re given little to do but stand around and provide ‘ahhh look it’s him’ moments for the audience.

Flashforwards to police interviews with Bulger’s gang, after they’ve turned informant, also rob the film of momentum and could easily be dispensed with.

Despite the by the numbers approach to storytelling and a tone that might be too colourless for some, Black Mass is elevated by Depp’s strong central performance and an unremitting adherence to its story’s grim details.

Star Rating: 3/5