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Johnny Depp steps out of comfort zone in “Black Mass”

Photo+courtesy+of+the+official+Black+Mass+Facebook
Photo courtesy of the official “Black Mass” Facebook

By Jennifer Toenjes ’16 | Photo Editor

Based on a true story, this action drama tells the account of Irish mafia Godfather, Whitey Bulger (Johnny Depp), joining alliances with John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), an FBI agent, in a desperate attempt to exterminate the Italian mafia. Attempting to execute something so dynamic Bulger and Connolly lose grip of their intentions and are faced with disaster.

Director Scott Cooper recreates Boston Massachusetts in the late 70’s. Cooper, most famously known for his film “Crazy Heart” starring Jeff Bridges, which won two academy awards, clearly has experience in drama films. “Black Mass” became another one of Cooper’s successes. It had a melancholy feeling that hovered throughout the film, staying consistent. The overall storyline could have improved if they had gone more in-depth as to how, and why Whitey Bulger had found his way into the Irish mafia, also perhaps more of Whitey’s development.

Cooper did, however. choose a brilliant cast. Benedict Cumberbatch was extraordinary in his role as William Bulger (Whitey Bulger’s brother), who was a political figure and educator. Cumberbatch had more of a blindsided and cynical demeanor about his role, executing what Cooper seemed to have envisioned.

Dakota Johnson plays Lyndsey Cyr (Mother to Whitey’s son). This seems to be Johnson’s best role yet, although not a prominent one, Cyr (Johnson) conveyed the side of Whitey (Depp) that never was written in the papers alongside the streets of massachusetts. Regardless of his human slaughtering, he cared greatly for his son. With the limited screen time johnson was in, she was able to pull that emotion out of Depp.

Joelle Edger as John Connolly was outstanding, Edger had a role somewhat of a sidekick. Edger was mischievous, and guilty. He was also able to shift into a fearful slave to Whitey. With that being said, he was given a dynamic character that had changed throughout the movie, and executed it with cohesive transitions.

Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger was out of character for his expected whimsical, or “Tim Burton” roles. And everything about it was outstanding; Depp played the conniving, and menacing character with ease. Depp added an effortless feel to his performance; he made a scheming, sadistic criminal on the FBI’s 10 most wanted list seem elegant, while keeping Whitey Bulger’s hands dirty.

This is a must see for anyone who is fascinated with Alcatraz convicts, and the history that goes with one of America’s most infamous criminals, or anyone who wants to be thoroughly entertained without strenuous and overdone action scenes.

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