Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jesse Plemons, Johnny Depp and Kevin Bacon
‘A Mesmerizing Mobster Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as strong as Jesse Plemons. Following his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Plemons has made unforgettable movies. Whether it’s police officers, corrupt gangsters or frustrated fathers, Plemons has played several powerful characters. Arguably, Plemons’ finest strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often poured his heart and soul into each and every role. Plemons has never been afraid of taking risks in his career by playing complex characters which aren’t often likeable. By his abilities to create compelling characters that audiences can easily relate to, Plemons has become a beloved actor which people value. An actor with a rare ability to steal the show in supporting roles in every movie, Plemons has built a lasting legacy. Throughout his powerful career, the actor has made many memorable movies which are definitely worth taking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Plemons and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Black Mass” is my favourite. Released in 2016, Plemons’ best movie captured the life of a real mobster. Packed with bold production, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best gangster movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Jesse Plemons, who portrays a notorious gangster seeking to participate in a criminal lifestyle. Ultimately, what makes “Black Mass” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a powerful message about consequences of crimes that would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing mobster masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “Black Mass” is a commemorated movie which is worth seeing.
Based on true events, “Black Mass” follows the life of a notorious gangster which committed shocking crimes. Johnny Depp portrays James Whitey Bulger, a notorious gangster that works in the town of Boston. Assisted by accomplice Kevin Weeks (Jesse Plemons), Bulger embarks on a dangerous journey to commit crimes that cause tragedy. However, Bulger’s dreams are under threat when becomes a doomed target of an FBi officer. John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) is a dedicated FBI agent that is driven to attain his goals of achieving justice. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Bulger begins to wonder whether it’s possible for him to be a successful gangster. Faced with a disastrous dilemma, Bulger begins to question whether it is possible for him to achieve his goals of being a gangster in America.
Scott Cooper is a newcomer towards stories of gangsters. Before he directed “Black Mass”, Cooper had never made a crime movie before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the life of a real mobster that committed crime causing tragedy but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Cooper captures the journeys of a mobster to resolve crimes in a doomed city. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes. Evoking Martin Scrosese’s “The Departed”, Cooper effectively uses real-life locations in Boston to illustrate tensions that notorious gangsters are facing. For instance, real-life locations enhance the gang violence scene. During this memorable scene, Bulger commits a shocking murder of an innocent citizen in Boston. One appreciates real-life locations capturing tensions Boston gangsters are facing. Boston is a tricky setting to use in movies. As Gus Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting” suggested, Boston locations enhance coming of age movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Cooper captures tensions that gangsters that commit crimes are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Black Mass” that merits appreciation is the production design. Cooper effectively employs sound design to capture tensions that gangsters committing crimes are facing. Throughout the movie, the sound plays a crucial role capturing tensions faced by gangsters experiencing tragedy. For instance, diegetic sounds elevate the murder scene. During this memorable scene, Whitey engages in a tense shootout causing tensions in Boston. Whether it’s deafening sounds of gunfire or bombs exploding, the sound design conveys tension gangsters are facing. Diegetic sound is a complex technique to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” suggested, diegetic sounds elevate World War II movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is riveting. Tom Holkenborg’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that gangsters bear. Through gorgeous production, Cooper captures gangsters which experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Black Mass” a crime film that is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice-over narration to capture the grim life of a gangster facing tension. Throughout the movie, Kevin Weeks recounts his memories of being a gangster that worked for Bulger in interrogations with the FBI. For instance, the narration elevates the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Kevin recalls his fond memories of working for Bulger as a gangster accomplice. Through narration, Cooper crafts a strong character thar audiences can easily relate to. Voice-over narration is often a tricky technique to use in films. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” claimed, voice over narration elevates movies about prisons. Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” did suggest narration elevates commemorated movies about mischievous Wall Street stockbrokers. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Cooper captures the lives of gangsters facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Jesse Plemons delivers one of his best career performances as Kevin Weeks. Plemons first achieved appreciation for playing criminals in drug trafficking TV series. With “Black Mass”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a gangster that worked with the mafia, but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, depression and grief of a drug dealer facing tensions. It’s an amazing performance from one of the most underrated actors working today.
Johnny Depp is fantastic as a dark gangster that engages in a life of crime which causes tragedy. Depp has always excelled at playing villains with a menacing nature, and “Black Mass” showcased his strengths as an actor. Whether he’s intimidating a guest at his dinner party or seeking to care for his son, Depp uses his strong body language to create a mobster that’s compelling. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talents for playing charismatic characters. It’s a strong performance from one of the finest actors in Hollywood today.
The supporting cast is superb and deserves appreciation. Joel Edgerton is extraordinary, capturing the determination of an FBI agent seeking to apprehend a notorious gangster facing tension. Kevin Bacon is brilliant, and captures the tension of an FBI manager that experiences a murder investigation. Lastly, Dakota Johnson merits appreciation. As the wife of a notorious gangster, she brings an air of tension to the movie.
Finally, “Black Mass” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing gangsters that face tension. Unlike most movies about mobsters, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes including grief, identity and trauma which would resonate with everyone. It delivers a meaningful message on consequences of crimes which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Black Mass” is one of those rare movies about mobsters everyone will adore.
Fans of Jesse Plemons will enjoy “Black Mass” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating crime classic, it honours a commemorated actor that has built a legacy that is iconic.
Nearly 60 years after Whitey Bulger become a frightening gangster taking control of Boston in ways which were terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies which are definitely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 