Black Mass

Warner Bros. | Release Date: September 18, 2015

7.5	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 482 Ratings

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User Reviews

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The3AcademySinsAug 12, 2016

This movie definitely did not impress me. The story lacks focus, the writing takes an interesting story and leaves A LOT to be desired, the cinematography was dark and gritty merely for being dark and gritty's sake, and there is WAY too manyThis movie definitely did not impress me. The story lacks focus, the writing takes an interesting story and leaves A LOT to be desired, the cinematography was dark and gritty merely for being dark and gritty's sake, and there is WAY too many "LOOK AT ME I'M ACTING" performances. Definitely not Johnny Depp's best work. There was a lot of wasted potential in this movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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saucyninja007Sep 23, 2015

The movie suffers from insufficient exposition and character development. We are told more than we are shown and this weakens the film when it comes to moments that are supposed to have an impact on the audience. The decision to not makeThe movie suffers from insufficient exposition and character development. We are told more than we are shown and this weakens the film when it comes to moments that are supposed to have an impact on the audience. The decision to not make Whitey (Depp's character) the central character is a giant mistake, and it is disappointing how uninteresting and one-dimensional the character is, despite Depp's command of the role. The storytelling is disconnected and is more similar to a documentary than anything else. Most scenes are devoid of tension and fairly predictable. Despite the excellent cast the actors come off bad due to the half-baked, dull script. Finally, the movie suffers from bland shot composition and cinematography, so don't expect any shots to wow you. I have seen many crime films and this is the first one that has actively bored me. The film squandered most of its potential and could have been a very interesting character study. The only reason to see this movie is to see Depp taking himself and his career serious again. Apart from that this movie is entirely passable.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

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foxgroveDec 2, 2015

A rather one note modern gangster drama in which the acting is far better than the material deserves. Johnny Depp gives a more grounded and less hammy performance than one has become accustomed to in his roles of recent years, but theA rather one note modern gangster drama in which the acting is far better than the material deserves. Johnny Depp gives a more grounded and less hammy performance than one has become accustomed to in his roles of recent years, but the material resolutely refuses to provide much emotional resonance whatsoever. Joel Edgerton is saddled with an irritating character and the film demands constant, but hard won, concentration to keep up with what is going on. Depp's make up is fantastic and the actor is almost unrecognisable. However, when you've said that you've exhausted all other possible points of interest in this disappointing and flatly conceived true story. 'Goodfellas' it 'aint.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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rockonJul 17, 2016

It's dark, dull, and boring. A lot of dark backgrounds and dark scenes. Even the music is dark. A lot of dark-sounding strings music. The soundtrack sounds like a funeral dirge. Scenes are so literally under-lit that it makes you wantIt's dark, dull, and boring. A lot of dark backgrounds and dark scenes. Even the music is dark. A lot of dark-sounding strings music. The soundtrack sounds like a funeral dirge. Scenes are so literally under-lit that it makes you want to turn on a lamp. Dark cinematography. Depp looks ridiculous and despite heavy make-up effects still doesn't look at all like Whitey Bulger. Different facial structures. There is no real character development in the script. From this movie I learned nothing new about Bulger. Nothing about how he became this person, his life before the events in the film, the nature of his personal relationships, how he became leader of his gang, his upbringing or anything else. It is an empty film with boring dialogue mixed with excessive profanity and occasional violence. The very few occasions when somebody gets killed are the only thing to keep you from sleeping. They don't explain in any depth the events that transpire in the film, and a viewer could easily get lost. They never fully explain who his brother was, so the one scene with him served no purpose at all. If you want to give this film a chance, do so with a cup of coffee. I almost dozed off numerous times. Ho-hum.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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HenryVollmerOct 24, 2015

Johnny Depp! You know what Depp called in German? Exactly what he has done in recent years: namely as an overtightened PeeWeeHerman staggering across the canvas. And Black Mass does not make it better! Three kilos of putty to make the lastJohnny Depp! You know what Depp called in German? Exactly what he has done in recent years: namely as an overtightened PeeWeeHerman staggering across the canvas. And Black Mass does not make it better! Three kilos of putty to make the last few years is not undone. Alone this whole make-up makes him untrustworthy in this movie! Totally unreal, what is not on the character. Can actors he now or not (no longer)? Does he Paste is to simulate expression? Then that's gone mighty awry.
I find this millionaires should be drawn from the film business and let ambitious successors such roles. Depp looks tired, listless, arrogant and at most still doggedly, but not talented, and not with the soul at work.
Probably they also swallow the cost of production could use a project elsewhere well as requsite, buildings etc.
I was very disappointed, once again! Luckily I waurde invited. I would have otherwise never invested from my own pocket a penny.
Certainly a good movie ... without Johnny Depp!… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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j1trainSep 21, 2015

Devoid of style and led by an overrated performance crafted from makeup and swagger. "Black Mass" indeed has a great cast (Joel Edgerton and the underused Julianne Nicholson and Juno Temple shine), but it won't deserve many of its likelyDevoid of style and led by an overrated performance crafted from makeup and swagger. "Black Mass" indeed has a great cast (Joel Edgerton and the underused Julianne Nicholson and Juno Temple shine), but it won't deserve many of its likely nominations come awards season. The film lacks momentum and flair. Instead it sits there banking off the cool performance of its lead star.… Expand

3 of 12 users found this helpful39

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BroyaxDec 30, 2019

Une sorte de saga criminelle du pauvre, très pauvre et très éloignée des (rares, certes) références dans le genre mais tout de même : qu'est-ce que c'est mauvais ! je dirai que c'est criminel de faire un film pareil, aussi nul à chier dansUne sorte de saga criminelle du pauvre, très pauvre et très éloignée des (rares, certes) références dans le genre mais tout de même : qu'est-ce que c'est mauvais ! je dirai que c'est criminel de faire un film pareil, aussi nul à chier dans tous les compartiments, où que l'on regarde...

La mise en scène est molle, le scénario est ramolli et surtout prétexte à des bavardages futiles et insignifiants à peine dignes d'une série télé à deux balles ; le film entier pédale dans le choucroute, s'égare en poncifs et pendant ce temps, on commence à roupiller d'ennui...

Jonny Depp, ce bon vieux Johnny n'est pas si vieux, loin de là... il fait partie de ces acteurs qui ont toujours fait plus jeune que leur âge, alors il a fallu le grimer pour qu'il ressemble à un ringard d'ex-taulard mais c'est peine perdue : il a juste l'air d'un con et son jeu s'avère très décevant. On voit bien qu'il est dépassé par le rôle et mal dirigé. Pourtant, il avait démontré dans Blow qu'il pouvait jouer les mauvais garçons mais ici de toute façon, rien ne va : un ratage complet qu'il vaut mieux mettre au placard ou plutôt... dans une grande poubelle.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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ScraperNov 18, 2016

The problem with Black Mass is that the scenes are so short it never really allows the characters to breathe and let the audience get to know them. The time jumps around too. It's as if someone really wanted to say everything they know aboutThe problem with Black Mass is that the scenes are so short it never really allows the characters to breathe and let the audience get to know them. The time jumps around too. It's as if someone really wanted to say everything they know about Whitey Bulger and never slowed down because they only had so much time to say it. The whole movie is cut like a news reel with each snippet getting across only it's simple intended themes. Characters come and go so quickly as if they don't really matter. The dark mood is pounded into your head so thoroughly that you never form any trust with anyone making the entire affair distant and ineffectual. That said, the costumes are done well.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Shadiac1985May 24, 2016

This movie tries real hard to come off as a decent mob flick, but almost misses its point. One major problem is casting an actor like Johnny Depp to play a mobster. Another is the blatant inaccuracy of the portrayed 1970s and 1980s BostonThis movie tries real hard to come off as a decent mob flick, but almost misses its point. One major problem is casting an actor like Johnny Depp to play a mobster. Another is the blatant inaccuracy of the portrayed 1970s and 1980s Boston life. I won't debate on either because I think it's rather a case of personal appreciation, just mentioning that taken aside, these are two problems worsening the overall enjoyability of this film.
What struck me completely, though, is how it takes its viewers for complete idiots. First, they're showing us a cartoon-cardboard cutout "cop" supposedly too soft on Bulger, who ends up torn apart between two worlds. The guy, however, is a total goof, as to wonder how he even managed to get that job. He has 0 way of talking to criminals, he treats Bulger like some grand persona (translating it to "family" by the numbwitted scriptwriters), then he ends up being screwed (wow, what a surprise!). Then there's that scene where Depp asks his partner how he cooked up the chicken, and even though the guy first says "it's a secret", he ends up revealing it and then Depp makes a scene. The whole thing is laughable at best. I mean, only a moron would be intimidated by words like "you just sold me your secret, so you're unreliable". LMFAO. This guy is "friends" with Depp's character, that's one thing, another is he can actually stand up for himself and call Depp a diffamator. He doesn't He just sits there with a stupid facial expression. Depp then proceeds upstairs and starts hitting on the idiot's wife for some reason, and again, she just takes it. C'mon, have you no balls? Or is Bulger supposed to be portrayed as intimidating at this point in the film? Because I didn't see him evolve like this a single bit even since his obnoxious peanuts remark.
So yeah, this movie may have been an okay addition to something Godfather-like, instead, it puts too much emphasis on something that's never there, misses the point and come off raping the viewer's brain. No clue how it ever gotten such a high score...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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