I remember a few years back when Federal agents discovered that the harmless-looking old guy living in plain sight in a Santa Monica apartment was actually a savage murderer, head of Boston’s vicious Winter Hill Gang, and directly responsible for at least 19 brutal killings. If Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart, Out of the Furnace) can’t make a decent film out of that, he should just fold up his director’s chair and go home. Aside from the fact that I’m still trying to figure out where the title comes in, Black Mass, a dramatized slice of the life of James “Whitey” Bolger with Johnny Depp in the lead roll, is more than decent — it’s a fascinating and compelling mob movie that I fear will stay with me for a very long time.

I fear its presence in my mind because it’s grim and brutal, but that’s partially what makes it such a provocative film. The inspired casting is another of its finer points. The first face you see belongs to a sun-spotted Jesse Plemons, whom you might know as Landry on Friday Night Lights, or the deceptively evil Todd on Breaking Bad. He plays Bolger henchman Kevin Weeks, and I’m thinking he could be the next Matt Damon. If you didn’t already know it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find Benedict Cumberbatch playing Bolger’s politician brother Billy, although you’ll be unimpressed with his efforts at a Boston accent. Dakota Johnson, as Bolger’s mistress, doesn’t quite have a grasp on it either. But Aussie Joel Edgerton, as FBI Agent John Connelly certainly does. And who cares whether Kevin Bacon, Peter Sarsgaard, Adam Scott, Corey Stoll or Julianne Nicholson master the accent or not? They’re always a treat to watch.

As intriguing and unrecognizable as Johnny Depp is, however, with his thinning, slicked back hair and his icy blue stare, I can’t say that his is one of the best performances of the year…yet. There are still a lot of juicy performances to come. But I will say this — I’m quite sure Black Mass will resurrect Depp from his box office slump. If you can handle the brutality, you will be riveted.

BLACK MASS Review — Deep Dark Depp Returns

Rated R

2 Hours 2 Minutes

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