The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic:
on BLACK MASS (2015, 122 minutes, R)
The Quick of It -
I may not be the best person to review a 'based on a true
story' film. They always seem lacking
to me... and this is the case here, possibly justified. Don't get me wrong, these movies are at the
core a tough project to capture on film, to have a real-world pacing that
promises to keep the audience engaged. For
me, BLACK MASS struggles, almost to the point of dragging ass along the carpet
in short spurts. The acting is above
par, which is no surprise with such an intense cast. The cinematography and on-screen character interaction are
strong, as director Scott Cooper proved he can in OUT OF THE FURNACE. But the story seemed so ephemeral and never
pushing into the darker history of the man that is James 'Whitey' Bulger. The narrative treatment of having the tale
told through third party perspectives may have been intentional and clever, but
this style of storytelling made the process lackluster in the end. The action you hope to see is quickly
glossed over or never touched. You
almost feel that everyone involved was afraid to expose the greater demons
hidden deeper in the truth for fear of retaliation. Who knows...
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