Mind of a Criminal

Rating: Null/10 (24 September 2016)

Based on the true story of Boston crime lord Whitey Bulger and his longtime not-so-legitimate association with the FBI, 'Black Mass' tells a notable slice of American history. The film is credited as a biography on IMDb, which is not quite right; Johnny Depp is electric as Bulger, but he is more of a supporting character in the tale with emphasis constantly on Joel Edgerton as his FBI contact - a childhood friend who finds himself in a tricky position, torn between loyalty to the Bureau and his a lifetime pal who has looked after him for as long as he can remember. It all seems fine at first, with Edgerton able to offer Depp immunity if he agrees to turn informant, however, as Depp misuses his immunity to take down those around him and become even more ruthless, Edgerton finds himself stuck in a corner. On one hand, all the emphasis on Edgerton does not feel right. With limited room for characterisation, Depp's Bulger is defined in very broad brushstrokes; we are led to believe that his anger over his son's death hardened him as a criminal, but we seldom see how he ticks beneath the tough surface. On the other hand, Edgerton is so great wrestling with his internal conflicts that more emphasis on him may have in fact been better. Either way, the film is quite uneven with all the jumping between characters, but solid acting keeps thing afloat. While Edgerton steals the show, Depp has several excellent moments; his anger over a 'family secret' recipe is a surefire highlight, and the scenes where he bonds with his son shed a lot of light on the way his mind works.