Black Mass

“Black Mass” is the 2015 crime film that many claim to be Johnny Depp’s “return to form.” It tells the story of James “Whitey” Bulger, and his interactions and scandals throughout the peak of his crime ring in Boston.

Many people, including myself, can see that Depp has been in sort of a slump recently. Luckily, his latest performance is one not to be missed.

One thing I loved about this film, if it wasn’t obvious already, was the acting. Johnny Depp and the supporting cast nailed every part in this movie to the bone. Depp’s performance is particularly unsettling, due to his worm-like character and, of course, makeup. All of the interactions between actors are strong and powerful (one scene in a hospital between Depp and Dakota Johnson is especially moving).

Another point that I enjoyed about the film was the cinematography. There are some truly beautiful and wide-angle shots in this movie, which all do the 1970s Boston setting justice.

Though, with all of the good acting that fits the characters, the characters themselves can be a little cluttered and plentiful at times, specifically at the beginning. Though Bulger is the main character, too much time is focused on other, less “meaty” characters. The less time the film focuses on our main, unsettling character, the less about him it becomes, and by the end, I felt strangely disconnected from the lead.

7/10- Though it boasts fantastic acting and wonderful cinematography, “Black Mass” doesn’t focus enough on its main and best character, Whitey Bulger.