The Student News Site of Malvern Preparatory School

Friar's Lantern

The Student News Site of Malvern Preparatory School

Friar's Lantern

The Student News Site of Malvern Preparatory School

Friar's Lantern

    Johnny Depp shines in Boston-crime drama “Black Mass”

    Be prepared to watch possibly the best film of 2015; a film that will rescue the career of Johnny Depp.

    “Black Mass” is one of those movies you know will be an instant classic after only one viewing. It is the Goodfellas of this generation.

    The movie, directed by Crazy Heart director Scott Cooper, revolves around the unholy alliance between the FBI and Boston crime lord James “Whitey” Bulger.

    After being approached by FBI agent John Connolly, “Whitey” Bulger, played by Johnny Depp, agrees to give information to the FBI about an Italian mafia family in Boston. Only few people know about this alliance, and keeping the secret is imperative for keeping Bulger’s street reputation.

    But as the movie progresses, you see the transformation of Bulger as he sinks deeper and deeper into madness, and at one point, even goes overboard.

    Cooper keeps the audience on its toes as he directs a masterpiece. He capitalizes on his star studded cast of Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, Dakota Johnson, and Joel Edgerton by giving each of them the same amount screen time and equal importance. Every character has meaning and Cooper’s ability to tie all the characters together throughout the film makes it easier to understand the complexity of Bulger’s alliance.

    After multiple box office flops, including Transcendence and Mortdecai, Johnny Depp recreates himself and in essence “becomes” Whitey Bulger. His makeup and low scratchy voice is done to perfection and his portrayal of Bulgur has even received critical acclaim from real-life mobsters.

    Depp gives his best performance of his career, proving that he can carry a whole movie as a leading man. After falling off the map in the last few years while doing more quirky movies for teens and kids, Depp retakes his place as a serious actor and has a performance that should earn him an Oscar nomination.

    Movie Rate: A+

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