What ultimately makes black masss engine run are the performances, headlined by legendary work from depp. Why is johnny depp s makeup so embarrassingly fake. People have their humanity, actor johnny depp has been quoted as saying while promoting his latest film and greatest performance in years as james whitey bulger in black mass, a film based upon a book by dick lehr and gerard o neill. Johnny depp transformation for black mass lifeisabirdsong. Johnny depp kisses amber heard on black mass set for james. First trailer, images and posters for the crime drama black mass starring johnny depp, joel edgerton, dakota johnson and benedict cumberbatch.
Sep 11, 2015 johnny depp s new film, black mass, marks a gear shift for the actor. But if johnny depp s mesmerizing performance a bracing return to form for the star after a series of critical and commercial misfires is the chief selling point of black mass. Apr 14, 2017 johnny depp talks transforming into whitey bulger in black mass and his dogs. In black mass, johnny depp plays the notorious boston crime lord whitey bulger, and its nice seeing him give a real performance for a change, after swashbuckling and mumbling his way. Bulked up johnny depp plants a kiss on amber heard on set of james whitey bulger biopic. Praise for johnny depp as black mass premieres in venice. He has played gangsters and petty criminals before but never one. The screenplay by mark mallouk and jez butterworth is based on the book by the reporters dick lehr and. The screenplay by mark mallouk and jez butterworth is based on the book by the reporters dick lehr and gerard oneill of the. The pirates actor transforms into legendary criminal whitey bulger for a careertopping performance. Johnny depp stars as bulger, who was the brother of a state senator and was eventually convinced to wear a wire for the fbi to bring down the italian mafia in boston after they invaded his territory. In his latest film, black mass, depp, in a stunning transformation, creates a gripping and multilayered portrait of infamous gangster james whitey bulger.
In many of his other roles he seems to be channeling actors who made extravagant makeup and extreme gestures part of the experience. The movie follows bulgers rise from petty hood to violent mob boss. Unlike the book black mass, where the journalists are the heroes, the film. Apart from giving us depps best performance in years, black mass directed by scott cooper of crazy heart fame tells the kind of story you wouldnt believe if it wasnt true. After countless prostheticsladen performances that blurred from one to. Black mass is based on the 2001 nonfiction book of the same name by. Johnny depps icy blue eyes pierce through the screen and stay with the viewer long after black mass is over. He provides a calm yet sinister presence as whitey bulger, demanding your attention in every scene he is in. Oct 11, 2015 johnny depp at the premiere of black mass. Black mass, directed by scott cooper, who helmed 2009s oscarwinning film crazy heart, tells this bizarre story based on a book of the same.
Long past his heartthrob era, johnny depp became a real actor able to deliver a chill when his face subtly changes to an expression of expectant evil which it does frequently in black mass. Black mass sees an amazing performance from johnny depp. Sep 17, 2015 only johnny depp could begin 2015 with one of the years worst movies and end it with one of the best. Oct, 2015 johnny depp says he has no interest in receiving an academy award for his role as whitey bulger in the new film black mass.
Telling a true story about a mobster responsible for so many deaths could become a valachi papers exercise in just one killing after another, which this film does, but there is that deep family friendship loyalty thing done. The first image of johnny depp as whitey bulger in scott coopers crazy heart black mass was unveiled yesterday, and now we are getting a first look at the footage from the film in an allnew. Johnny depps black mass performance was all wrong, according. Based on the book by dick lehr and gerard oneill and directed by scott cooper crazy heart, the film takes a hard look at the conditions which allowed whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in boston. Black mass is a 2015 american biographical crime drama film produced and directed by scott cooper and written by mark mallouk and jez butterworth, based on dick lehr and gerard oneills 2001 book black mass.
And he says that his reason is that despite three decades spent in. Sep 17, 2015 all this makes depp exactly the right person to play bulger in black mass. The film has an ensemble cast including johnny depp, joel edgerton, benedict cumberbatch, kevin bacon, jesse. Johnny depp and joel edgerton in black mass 2015 benedict.
Johnny depps starring role as legendary boston gangster james whitey bulger in the film black mass has critics praising the actor for his most restrained and realistic performance in. Black mass is a crime drama thats based on the book black mass. Johnny depp looks like a ghost in scott coopers black mass. While black mass lacks an emotional core, and the pacing is poor, the intrigue of the story and depps performance make it work. Black mass best quotes if nobody sees it, it didnt happen.
Whitey bulger, the fbi, and a devils deal introduction. Black mass, the new johnny depp film based on the life of boston mobster whitey bulger, who stood just behind osama bin laden on the fbis mostwanted list for years, hardly needs to diverge. See more ideas about black mass, johnny depp and mass movie. Johnny depp gives an utterly chilling performance as the notorious james whitey bulger in the bostonset crime drama black mass. The drama tells the story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in boston history. Whiteys rise in bostons demimonde is assisted by fbi agent john.
Black mass is certified fresh sep 16, 2015 critics say black mass explores welltrodden crime movie territory as well, but the film is elevated by johnny depps mesmerizing lead performance and excellent work from a solid supporting cast. Johnny depp delivers an oscarcaliber performance in. Bulger story may find the story not overly interesting, despite the terrific performances. The music sounded like it belonged in a bourne movie. Black mass whitey bulger dead in cell by karen nov 2, 2018 9. Sep 19, 2015 theres no surer way to make johnny depp chuckle than to cite those who call his icy performance as the boston gangster whitey bulger in black mass a return to form for the actor. In the new film black mass, johnny depp plays infamous gangster. Johnny depp on playing whitey bulger in black mass.
Johnny depp performance makes black mass a mob hit. While black mass lacks an emotional core, and the pacing is poor, the intrigue of the story and depp s performance make it work. The movie is based on the life of the boston mobster including his often debated relationship with the fbi. I n his portrayal of whitey bulger in the new film black mass, johnny depp, 52, is barely recognizable, his face obscured behind a mask of prostheses and topped by the receding grayblond hair. Black mass best quotes if nobody sees it, it didnt. Hats off to joel harlow and all the people invlolved. If johnny depps mesmerizing performance is the chief selling point of black mass, there is much else to recommend this sober, sprawling, deeply engrossing evocation of bulgers south boston fiefdom. Please note that is not associated with any other sites, blogs. Despite peoples feelings about the movie as a whole, almost across the board, johnny depp s performance as notorious boston gangster james whitey bulger in black mass has received praise as one. James whitey bulger, the notorious boston gangster who was found dead tuesday in his prison cell, reluctantly had his popculture breakthrough in 2015s black mass, portrayed by one of the.
In black mass, we welcome johnny depp back from the land of the freakishly flamboyant, that unbeloved country he has occupied for the past few years see the lone ranger, into the woods or mortdecai. Black mass, which is based on the book of the same name by two boston globe reporters who. Depps performance is punctuated by sharp outbursts between periods of unnerving stillness when his eyes tell the story of murderous intent. This site is maintained and updated by its owner, site moderators and fans of actor johnny depp, and is in no way affiliated with mr. Theres no surer way to make johnny depp chuckle than to cite those who call his icy performance as the boston gangster whitey bulger in black mass a return to form for the actor. Exciting young director scott cooper helps johnny depp get back in touch with his missing gravitas. Nov 27, 2015 johnny depp gives an utterly chilling performance as the notorious james whitey bulger in the bostonset crime drama black mass.
Black mass is certified fresh black mass explores welltrodden crime movie territory as well, but the film is elevated by johnny depp s mesmerizing lead performance and excellent work from a. Johnny depp talks transforming into whitey bulger in black mass and his dogs. Johnny depp s new film, black mass, marks a gear shift for the actor. In 1970s south boston, fbi agent john connolly edgerton persuades irish mobster james whitey bulger depp to collaborate with the fbi and eliminate a common enemy. There is one person who is not a fan, however, and hes certainly in a position to. Black mass johnny depp does careerbest work as notorious boston gangster james whitey bulger in scott coopers taut, elegantly understated crime drama. Black mass starring johnny depp and joel edgerton is available on dvd at cockburn libraries. With johnny depp, benedict cumberbatch, dakota johnson, joel edgerton. Johnny depp in a scene from black mass warner brothers. Sep 16, 2015 johnny depp on playing whitey bulger in black mass. Johnny depp talks transforming into whitey bulger in. It revolves around the life of real life criminal whitey bulger, and his rise and fall in boston. Scott cooper directs, with mark mallouk penning the screenplay based on dick lehr and gerald oneills 2001 bestseller black mass. Black mass film, johnny depp makeup artistry bring whitey bulger.
He delivers an astounding performance that has earned raves from both critics and audiences and is sure to garner awards attention. Whitey bulger hated how johnny depp portrayed him in. But the best thing about this film for me was johnny depp, he is so convincing and brilliant, this is what he needs to do more of, he is so good in donnie brasco, public enemies and black mass but then he does all those stupid fantasy films, he is much better in films like this. Johnny depp s insane dior fragrance ad is peak johnny depp. Thats johnny depp giving everything hes got in a riveting, rattlesnake performance as south boston gangster james whitey bulger in black mass. Now depp is coming back in black mass, and for the first time in several.
Black mass features depps best performance in years. In this adaptation of the book from boston globe reporters dick lehr and gerard o neill. Johnny depp goes to dark places for whitey bulger in. The film was very interesting and would definitely recommend it. Sep 24, 2017 the amazing process of johnny depp becoming whitey bulger for the movie black mass. Johnny depp gives a showstopping, oscarworthy performance as notorious irishamerican whitey bulger in black mass. All of the plottwists that were supposed to feel surprising didnt feel very surprising. The source material for the film was a book written by boston globe reporters gerard oneill and. Sep 17, 2015 thats johnny depp giving everything hes got in a riveting, rattlesnake performance as south boston gangster james whitey bulger in black mass.
As i stepped into a recent screening, a number of questions ran through my mind. Gangster whitey bulger, found dead tuesday, wasnt a fan of johnny depp s portrayal of him in black mass. Johnny depps involvement with black mass dates back to february 20, when he was. Scott cooper narrates a sequence from black mass featuring johnny depp. Whitey bulger hated how johnny depp portrayed him in black mass. The true story of whitey bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of south boston, who became an fbi informant to take down a. Telling a true story about a mobster responsible for so many deaths could become a valachi papers exercise in just one killing after another, which this film does, but there is. Nine signs black mass could be johnny depps big comeback.
Black mass, based on the book by dick lehr and gerard oneill, tells the. To plot his performance of the vicious mob man, depp said he had to. What ultimately makes black mass s engine run are the performances, headlined by legendary work from depp. Sep 17, 2015 i n his portrayal of whitey bulger in the new film black mass, johnny depp, 52, is barely recognizable, his face obscured behind a mask of prostheses and topped by the receding grayblond hair. Oct 30, 2018 heres how much he hated the performance. Sep 17, 2015 the main purpose for black mass is to get star johnny depp in the running for a best actor academy award nomination, if not an outright victory. Johnny depp has no interest in getting an oscar for black mass. Johnny depp gives a mesmerizing performance in black mass. The demon barber of fleet street, finding neverland, the pirates of the caribbean films stars as notorious mobster whitey. The guardian called black mass a mighty comeback for the 52yearold actor, and the associated press surmised it may turn out to be johnny depp s year.
Black mass features an oscarworthy performance from johnny. Black mass producers on johnny depps awards plans, tom. The new trailer for black mass shows johnny depp s whitey bulger as part family man and part brutal gangster, combining the two aspects in a. Black mass film, johnny depp makeup artistry bring whitey bulger to life on. The true story of an unholy alliance between the fbi and the irish mob. Johnny depp talks transforming into whitey bulger in black. Depp completely disappears into the role of whitey bulger, and while the actors physical and behavioral transformation is what. As bulger, depp doesnt let a masterly makeup job mask the nuances of his characters twisted psyche.
The film is an adaptation of the 2000 book by boston globe reporters dick lehr and gerard oneill, which documented bulgers stronghold. Black mass is a decent flick, but by no means is it anything more than. Johnny depp gives a mesmerizing performance in black mass exciting young director scott cooper helps johnny depp get back in touch with his missing gravitas. After the critical and box office failures of the lone ranger, transcendence, and mortdecai, depp needed a win and gets one with director scott coopers black mass, a. In 1970s south boston, fbi agent john connolly edgerton persuades irish mobster james whitey bulger depp to collaborate with the fbi. Its a solid film, with an impressive central performance by johnny depp as boston crime lord james whitey bulger, but it never rises to the level of. Telling a true story about a mobster responsible for so many deaths could become a valachi papers exercise in just one killing after another, which this film does, but there is that deep family friendship.
Black mass is a decent flick, but by no means is it anything more than decent. Black mass by scott cooper johnny depp, benedict cumberbatch. Bulger respectfully declined because i dont believe he was a great fan of the book black mass. The film has an ensemble cast including johnny depp, joel edgerton, benedict cumberbatch, kevin bacon, jesse plemons. Apr 24, 2015 threetime oscar nominee johnny depp sweeney todd. Scott coopers whitey bulger saga is a confident and nasty film with impressive. Black mass is more the departed than goodfellas jack nicholsons mobster in the. The title of the film, adapted from a book by dick lehr and gerard oneill. Johnny depp turns in one of his more nuanced and compelling performances in a while in black mass, however, the rest of the film seesaws between tedium and mildly gripping. Aug 27, 2015 black mass producers on johnny depps awards plans, tom cruises power and why relativity failed.
Johnny depp goes to dark places for whitey bulger in black mass. Black mass, a widereaching look at james whitey bulger johnny depp, an irishamerican mobster, and the impact his life of crime had on his. Johnny depps performance as boston mobster whitey bulger has. Black mass an unholy alliance featurette hd youtube. The main purpose for black mass is to get star johnny depp in the running for a best actor academy award nomination, if not an outright victory.