Johnny Depp dons one more costume, this time as infamous mob boss and FBI informant Whitey Bulger, in “Black Mass”. In 1970s South Boston landscape, FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Johnny Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, take reigns of the crime wave, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history. “Black Mass” is directed by Scott Cooper, the same guy who directed “Out of the Furnace”, as well as “Crazy Heart”. One common theme in all of his movies is that he knows how to present a story at it’s grittiest. This film takes a polarizing crime figure and casts a human shadow to his rough exterior to really make the audience question themselves for even five minutes if this antagonist is really the protagonist of the film. What i really enjoyed about this film is how there are very little positive role model characters to believe in. A lot of these supporting characters fell victim to the sexy possibilities of either living luxurious lifestyles or promotions within law enforcement that never would’ve come as quick under different circumstances. The movie is a little long (117 minutes) and it starts to drag a little bit during a second act that could definitely use an edit button. I had some minor problems with how the story is being presented to the ears of the interrogator who is questioning some of Whitey’s closest allies. Some scenes happen that doesn’t involve any of these people in them, so how is this police interrogator hearing what is going on? I know the story matters more to the audience watching, but it was a little distracting when it happened more than once. I appreciate that the movie focused on much more than just Bulger’s crime activity. It also shows his life at home, which grants the viewer a better look behind the stone cold eyes. I only wish that the movie would cut out some of the scenes that feel a bit repetitive, none of which really harmed the film drastically enough. While the script is decent, it’s the acting performances that really cement this movie as the first big hit of the Fall season. Most audience acclaim for Depp comes from his ability to transform himself into any character who he takes on. But it’s nice to see a solid performance behind the wigs and the prosthetics. Depp’s Bulger grabbed me and put me into these scenes when the tension is building. When you watch this movie, you really don’t want these characters to say anything that is going to get them killed, and that is because of the emotions that Johnny puts into one look. I haven’t seen a performance this strong from him since “Secret Window”, and i hope his future roles include more of this and less of “Tusk”, “Mortdecai” and anything else that cast me in theater purgatory. Edgerton is also cementing himself as one of Hollywood’s sure things. We see such a transformation for the worst in his character, and can see how deep he gets before even he can. You feel this brotherhood between he and Bulger, despite the movie not needing obvious backstory to enhance this. They both came from the same neighborhood and that is something sacred. There are so many others who really hand off the reigns of owning every scene that they are in. Kevin Bacon, Peter Saarsgaard, Corey Stoll, Rory Cochrane. They all make up what is arguably the best ensemble cast in film this year. The movie is also brilliantly scored by Tom Holkenborg. Tom uses a bunch of dark and ominous tones to musically narrate through the rough and dirty streets of Boston during it’s most troubling and corrupt of times. “Black Mass” will infect the audience with a story that is too crazy to believe. It’s violent, brilliantly acted, and at times reminiscent of a Scorsese film. Depp is at his finest when he sits at the table for Oscar contention.

8/10