Sunday, October 25, 2015

Review of BLACK MASS: Despicable Depp

October 23, 2015




This new decade had not been good to Johnny Depp. So far, the only one with positive feedback he got was for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (2011), but that was an old character from a known successful franchise. But Depp's fate with stand-alone feature films he bannered was something else. It all started with a debacle called "The Tourist," (2010). This was followed by middling to poor reception for "The Rum Diary" (2011), "Dark Shadows" (2012), "The Lone Ranger" (2013), "Transcendence" (2014) and just earlier this year "Mortdecai".

In the poster of his latest film "Black Mass," we see a barely-recognizable bad-ass and balding Johnny Depp. You know he really means serious business this time. And he definitely did.

It is Boston in the 1970s. James "Whitey" Bulger was the kingpin of the Irish Mob. His childhood friend John Connolly was an agent in the Boston office of the FBI. Connolly reached out to Bulger to forge a sneaky under-the-table deal to trade information that would lead to the arrest of Boston's Italian Mafia. In exchange, Bulger would receive perks as an FBI informant. However, Bulger and gang went overboard unmitigated string of ruthless murders, drug dealing, gun-running and gambling such that the FBI could not just simply give them a pass anymore.

Based on his look in the poster alone, you can already see how Johnny Depp has transformed himself for this cold-blooded role as Jimmy Bulger. He was totally chilling whenever he talked with someone, you never knew if that person would be alive in the next scene or not. His scenes were very unsettling and heinous. You would be at the edge of your seat the whole time, like waiting for a lion to kill its unsuspecting victim. His "fatherly" conversations with his young son were very disturbing. No one could argue that this would be Depp's best work in several years.

Joel Edgerton is really on a roll with these effective portrayals of these characters with questionable morals. He can really get under your nerves in his role as John Connolly. Listening to him bend all the rules in trying to protect his friend will make you want to give him a punch to the face. You'll hate his guts when he was defending Bulger with his boss McGuire (Kevin Bacon). You'll love that precious look on his face when he was confronted by the new prosecutor, Wyshack (Corey Stoll). 

Unexpectedly, the only member of the cast which I would call miscast was Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of Whitey's younger brother William. Billy was able to become a successful politician, winning the election for state Senate in spite of his brother's unsavory reputation in Boston. Despite his reputation for quality work for most of his career, Cumberbatch simply did not feel or even look right for this particular role. 

Overall, this was a seriously sinister biographical film, not exactly the entertaining sort for most mainstream tastes. Johnny Depp's unusually scary portrayal of a despicable and ruthless killer is the centerpiece attraction of this film, and alone would make the price of admission worth it. 7/10.


21 comments:

  1. Omg! That was johhny depp??? Never noticed his face. I might watch this film but i hope i wont fell asleep at the movie house

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  2. When I looked at the poster, I didn't distinguish that he's JD. His movies are worth to watch. Not really having time for now.

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  3. THATS JOHHNY DEPP!? Havent gotten to watch the movie yet, but since he's acting, it has to be good.

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  4. Every Johnny Depp movie is a must-watch. This film is not one to miss! I'd love to be at the edge of my seat the whole time and my eyes are like glued at the screen.

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  5. Johnny Depp is not afraid of transforming himself for roles. This is definitely another proof. I would love to watch this movie.

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  6. Wow! Another Johnny Depp movie. It's been a while since I was movies of him. I think this movie would be good. Better set some time to watch this.

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  7. He looks so weird in this movie which makes me not care so much about this so much. But you know his acting is always amazing.

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  8. Johnny Depp! Love him, but the last movie I watched with him was a bit boring. With a 7/10 rating, I guess I'll just have to wait for a Dvd Copy.

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  9. I observed that Johnny Deep had so many "looks" when it comes to transformation in the movies. Great acting prowess and very versatile actor. Definitely, I'll watch this movie.

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  10. Johnny Depp looking so different here and he is really brilliant in playing his role and just gets into the role.

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  11. Is that Johnny Depp? I cant really recognize him untill after I read the cast list. Wow he can really transform. I am going to watch this movie.

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  12. I actually read about Whitey Bulger when I learned Johnny Depp was going to portray him. Based on your review, Depp was very accurate, and I love mob movies, so definitely watching.

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  13. Hmmm I miss Johnny Depp too! Hmmm 7/10 is still a passing rate, so I might have to check this out. Although, this is not really my movie genre preference. :D

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  14. This sounds interesting. To be honest, I haven't heard of this movie 'til now coz too busy, but might schedule this in. Johnny Depp is, for me, a really great actor because he is willing to constantly test the boundaries of what he can do. Props to him!

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  15. Haha... guess what, I did not enjoy the film until the end when they say it was based on true events. That's when I truly sit up and recall the happenings in the show.

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  16. I think this is a really unique role for Johnny Depp as his been either the charming hero or a star of an edgy movie. Being convincing in a different role like really shows his depth as an actor.

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  17. That's Johnny Depp??!! Couldn't recognise him. I'm on my way to the theatres now! ;)

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  18. I won't neither miss this movie of my favorite actor, Johnny Depp. I like the way he portrays his role.

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  19. A lot of people have been liking this movie. I hope to watch this myself soon :D

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  20. Looks interesting. Johnny Depp is certainly a versatile actor.

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  21. Never though this is a Johnny Depp film. Aside from being a Depp fan, your review, made me more eager to watch this one. Never mind if this is not entertaining flick, Basta si Johnny, he gives his best sa character nya.

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