unusually a bit of a personal connection with a hollywood film
2 degrees of separation with the father-son executive producers
apart from that some positive reviews puts this one on the c list
evening viewing on a stunning day explaining the empty theatre?
a face fills the screen and questions flow from an unseen interviewer
sub-titles explaining this is whitey bulgers main man dobbing on him
so right at the start we know how this is going to end as we go back in time
kevin is a bouncer at a club who shows willingness to take and inflict violence
this catches the eye of bulger (johnny depp) who inducts kevin appropriately
first bulger then kevin brutally beating up an ally who has let down the boss
it's confronting stuff but bulger the psychopath and depp the actor impressing
bulger has a soft side - seen playing cards with his mother and letting her win
brother billy (benedict cumberbatch) is visiting also - the state senate president
though the brothers are poles apart professionally there is a degree of respect
the other main man then introduced - fbi agent john connelly (joel edgerton)
he grew up in the same boston neighbourhood so the 3 lads are quite close
so far so good - though the english and australian actors seem to overplay
cumberbatch and edgerton laying on thick boston accents is a distraction
but this well compensated for by mr depp who is in command in his role
so just going with the story - bulger is relatively small time in south boston
it's the mafia who are the serious gangsters and the main problem for the fbi
so connelly suggests to his boss (kevin bacon) that the fbi make a covert deal
they will leave bulger to his criminal ways in return for information on the mafia
at first bulger is scornful of assisting the fbi but he soon sees the advantages
and so it goes - he becomes more powerful as the mafia get regularly busted
it all seems quite plausible - and is based on fact - greed and ego at work
there's no pulling of punches when it comes to bulgers psychopathic side
scenes of full on violence on those that cross his path including women
i usually hate that in a film but here it unfortunately seems relevant
a turning point for several of his colleagues to ultimately turn on him
this as a new fbi director comes to town and starts asking questions
why is the man clearly responsible for so much serious crime clean
clever scripting, clever acting and directing all working well here
some jumping back and forward in time providing a good balance
my want to find fault and criticise is on the wane as i fully engage
a sense of relief to see johnny depp in a decent role also at work
full circle we go as the closing scenes show the police interviews
bulger seen taking on a disguise and high-tailing it out of boston
the prologue mostly the usual text on screen to wrap up the story
each major character's later life briefly but interestingly explained
the corrupt cops busted and jailed - bulger a long time fugitive
but eventually caught, tried, locked up and then died in prison
the facts of the matter in this true story adding to the appeal
very much liked this film and happy for the exec producers
it should do well - mr depp may well be an oscar contender
a huge turnaround for him - so all involved should be happy...
