Shadows of Southie: Deconstructing Black Mass
An academic exploration into the cinematic portrayal of Whitey Bulger's reign and the compromised alliance that defined an era in Boston's criminal underworld.
Film Overview ๐ Critical Appraisal โญDive in with Flashcard Learning!
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Film Overview
Cinematic Identity
Black Mass is a 2015 American biographical crime drama, meticulously directed by Scott Cooper. The film delves into the notorious life of American mobster Whitey Bulger, offering a compelling narrative rooted in real-world events. It stands as a significant entry in the crime genre, distinguished by its ensemble cast and a focus on the intricate dynamics of organized crime and law enforcement.
Narrative Foundation
The screenplay, crafted by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth, is an adaptation of the 2000 non-fiction book, Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob. Authored by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill, the book provides a detailed account of the controversial relationship between Bulger and the FBI, forming the factual bedrock for the film's dramatic unfolding.[3]
Commercial & Critical Snapshot
Produced on a budget of $53 million, Black Mass achieved a worldwide box office gross of $100 million.[7][8] Upon its release, the film garnered generally positive reviews from critics, with particular acclaim directed towards Johnny Depp's transformative performance as Whitey Bulger, marking it as a notable return to form for the actor.[84][85]
Narrative Arc
Bulger's Reign & FBI Alliance
The film commences in 1975, establishing James "Whitey" Bulger as the dominant force in South Boston's organized crime, leading the Winter Hill Gang. His power is contested by the North End's Angiulo Brothers. FBI agent John Connolly, a childhood friend of Whitey and his brother William "Billy" Bulger, returns to the area. Connolly proposes an alliance: Whitey becomes an FBI informant to help dismantle the Angiulo Brothers, offering Bulger protection in return. Despite his disdain for being an "informant," Whitey agrees, recognizing the strategic advantage.[26]
Escalation & Betrayal
Whitey leverages his informant status, using FBI protection to expand his criminal empire. Connolly, blinded by loyalty and past connections, becomes increasingly entangled, accepting gifts and money from the gang. When an associate, Brian Halloran, attempts to expose Whitey to the FBI, Connolly tips off Bulger, leading to Halloran's murder. Whitey's behavior grows more violent and erratic, particularly after the death of his son, Douglas, from Reye syndrome, further straining his relationship with Connolly.[12]
The Aftermath
Prosecutor Fred Wyshak initiates an investigation into Connolly's handling of Whitey. FBI agent John Morris, fearing prosecution, exposes the corrupt alliance to The Boston Globe, leading to a front-page scandal. Connolly, Stephen Flemmi, Kevin Weeks, and Johnny Martorano are arrested. Whitey, after a final call to Billy, flees Boston. An epilogue details the sentences: Weeks received five years, Martorano twelve, and Flemmi a life sentence. Morris gained immunity. Billy Bulger resigned as Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts. Connolly was convicted of second-degree murder, receiving a forty-year sentence. Whitey Bulger was eventually arrested in Santa Monica in 2011 and received two consecutive life sentences plus five years.[92]
Ensemble
Central Figures
The film features a robust ensemble cast, with Johnny Depp leading as the infamous James "Whitey" Bulger. Joel Edgerton portrays the conflicted FBI agent John Connolly, whose childhood ties to Bulger lead to a deeply compromised professional relationship. Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the role of William "Billy" Bulger, Whitey's politically influential brother, adding a layer of complex family dynamics to the narrative.[9][10]
Supporting Roles
Key supporting performances include Rory Cochrane as Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi, Jesse Plemons as Kevin Weeks, and Kevin Bacon as Charles McGuire, the FBI Special Agent in charge. Peter Sarsgaard plays Brian Halloran, a crucial informant, while Dakota Johnson portrays Lindsey Cyr, Bulger's longtime girlfriend. Corey Stoll appears as prosecutor Fred Wyshak, and David Harbour as the corrupt FBI agent John Morris, whose actions are pivotal to the plot's unraveling.[11][13][14]
Actor Preparation & Portrayal
Actors undertook significant preparation to embody their roles. Johnny Depp extensively studied surveillance and police audio footage of Bulger, even attempting to meet Bulger himself (which was declined), instead consulting his attorney, Jay Carney. Joel Edgerton developed his portrayal of John Connolly by reviewing past footage of the FBI agent, consciously choosing not to meet the real Connolly to maintain the film's distinct narrative perspective. Jesse Plemons utilized a dialect coach and studied videos of the actual Kevin Weeks to refine his performance.[34][38][40]
Genesis
Long Road to Screen
The concept of adapting Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob into a film circulated intermittently since 2000. Miramax initially acquired the film rights even before the book's publication, though these rights eventually expired without the project moving forward. In 2002, filmmaker Robert Greenwald planned a four-hour miniseries for USA Network, which also did not materialize.[17][19]
Script Evolution
Producer Brian Oliver acquired the film rights in 2006. Jim Sheridan was initially attached to direct in 2009, completing a draft of the screenplay with Nye Heron, but later detached from the project. Russell Gewirtz was then hired in 2011 to write another draft, with Barry Levinson slated to direct. Ultimately, the finished version of Black Mass was scripted by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth, focusing on the "true story of Whitey Bulger, FBI agent John Connolly and the FBI's witness protection program."[18][25]
Directorial Vision
In January 2014, Scott Cooper joined the project to re-write and direct the film, bringing his vision to the complex narrative. Warner Bros. subsequently secured the worldwide distribution rights in February 2014, co-financing the film with Cross Creek Pictures and targeting an October 2015 release. This marked a crucial phase in solidifying the film's production and distribution strategy.[27][28]
On Location
Boston's Authentic Backdrop
Principal photography for Black Mass commenced on May 19, 2014, primarily in Boston, Massachusetts, and concluded on August 1, 2014. The production utilized various authentic locations across the city and its surrounding areas to recreate the period and atmosphere of Whitey Bulger's era. Key filming sites included Dorchester, East Boston, South Boston, and Cambridge, with specific scenes shot at locations like the Polish American Club (transformed into Triple O's Lounge) and on Silver Street.[42][44][46]
Key Filming Moments
Notable filming events included the recreation of the 1982 murders of Brian Halloran and Michael Donahue in Lynn, where Johnny Depp was spotted. Scenes were also filmed at Copley Square and the Harvard Club in Boston. In Quincy, a four-story building was transformed to resemble the Princess Eugenia apartments in Santa Monica, California, for the depiction of Bulger's 2011 arrest. Revere Beach was notably converted into Miami Beach, Florida, for scenes involving Bulger and Catherine Greig, complete with planted palm trees and a Cuban cafe facade.[49][59][63][66]
Post-Production Decisions
During post-production, certain narrative choices led to the exclusion of some filmed content. Sienna Miller, who was cast as Catherine Greig, Bulger's companion during his fugitive years, had her scenes entirely cut from the final film. Similarly, the majority of Erica McDermott's scenes as Mary Bulger, Billy Bulger's wife, were also removed. These decisions highlight the selective process of shaping a biographical narrative for cinematic presentation.[74][76]
Dissemination
Festival Circuit & Premiere
Black Mass had its world premiere at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2015, where it was featured in the "Fuori Concorso" section. Following its Venice debut, the film was also screened at the prestigious Telluride Film Festival and included in the Special Presentation section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival, building early critical buzz and audience anticipation.[1][78]
Global Distribution
Warner Bros. Pictures handled the worldwide distribution of the film, with its broad theatrical release set for September 18, 2015, in the United States.[2] This strategic release aimed to capitalize on the film's festival exposure and the public's interest in true-crime narratives, particularly those involving notorious figures like Whitey Bulger.
Promotional Strategy
The marketing campaign for Black Mass included the release of multiple trailers. The first trailer debuted on April 23, 2015, followed by a second on May 22, and a third on July 30. These promotional materials were designed to highlight the film's intense narrative, the transformative performances, and the gritty atmosphere of Boston's criminal underworld, drawing viewers into the story of Bulger's rise and fall.[79][80][81]
Appraisal
Box Office Performance
Black Mass performed respectably at the box office, grossing $62.6 million in the United States and Canada, and an additional $37.2 million in other territories, culminating in a worldwide total of $99.8 million against its $53 million production budget.[8] Its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada saw it debut at $22.6 million, securing the second spot behind Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.[82]
Critical Acclaim & Dissent
The film received generally favorable reviews. Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 73% based on 290 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10, noting that "Black Mass spins a gripping yarn out of its fact-based story โ and leaves audiences with one of Johnny Depp's most compelling performances in years."[84] Metacritic assigned a score of 68 out of 100 from 43 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[85] Johnny Depp's portrayal of Bulger was widely lauded as a "return to form," with critics from The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and TheWrap highlighting it as one of his finest performances.[86][87] Some criticisms, however, pointed to pacing issues and underdeveloped supporting characters.[88]
Real-Life Reactions
The film's depiction of events and characters drew strong reactions from the real-life individuals involved. Whitey Bulger himself expressed disapproval and refused to watch the film. His associate, Kevin Weeks, vehemently dismissed the movie as "pure fiction," disputing most of its narrative and characterizations. Weeks specifically challenged the portrayal of Bulger's demeanor, stating that Bulger never swore at his associates and that Stephen Flemmi, depicted as sympathetic in the film, "enjoyed murder." He also denied that the loss of Bulger's son influenced his behavior or that business was ever discussed at home.[92]
Accolades
Depp's Recognition
Johnny Depp's performance as Whitey Bulger garnered significant award attention. He was nominated for Best Actor at the Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards, Satellite Awards, Screen Actors Guild Award (Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role), Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association, and Critics' Choice Movie Award. Notably, Depp won the Maltin Modern Master Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Desert Palm Achievement Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Despite critical praise, his exclusion from the Academy Award nominations for Best Actor surprised some commentators.[93][94][98]
Film & Screenplay Nominations
The film itself received nominations for Best Film at the Satellite Awards and Best Thriller Film at the Saturn Awards. The adapted screenplay, credited to Jez Butterworth and Mark Mallouk, was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Satellite Awards, acknowledging the challenging task of translating a complex true story into a compelling cinematic narrative.[94][95]
Technical & Other Nods
Beyond acting and writing, Black Mass was recognized for its technical achievements, particularly in makeup. Joel Harlow and Kenny Niederbaumer received a nomination for Best Make-Up at the Saturn Awards, and the film also earned a nomination for Best Makeup at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards. These nominations underscore the film's commitment to visual authenticity in portraying its characters.[95]
Score
Thematic Composition
The original score for Black Mass was composed by Tom Holkenborg, also known as Junkie XL. His musical contributions played a significant role in establishing the film's dark and intense atmosphere, complementing the gritty narrative and character complexities. The soundtrack was officially released by WaterTower Music on September 11, 2015, making the film's evocative musical landscape available to audiences.[5]
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References
References
- "Peter Sarsgaard joins Black Mass as a favor", IGN.com; accessed December 8, 2014.
- "Adam Scott Joins Johnny Depp in 'Black Mass' (Exclusive)", HollywoodReporter.com; accessed December 8, 2014.
- [1], eonline.com; accessed September 3, 2015.
- The Indiana Film Journalists Association Begins Nominations Process for 2015 Awards
- D.C. Film Critics Shine a 'Spotlight' on Award Winners
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