Yes, That's Johnny Depp

Usually, it's not a good sign if you go to a movie and you are mesmerized by the make-up.  But that was me for the first half-hour of "Black Mass."  Staring at Jimmy "Whitey" Bulger and trying to find some discernible feature that reminded me of the actor playing him, one Johnny Depp.

I defy you to do the same.  See if you can recognize any part of Depp in this character.  It's impossible.  But maybe, after you get over this exercise, that's why the movie comes off as so brutally real.

I really knew nothing about this Boston mobster except that the FBI finally caught up to him in Santa Monica about four years ago.  I think he had alluded them for ten plus years, so a tip of the cap to Bulger for managing freedom that long.  But, trust me, if you look old, you can easily blend into the background down in Santa Monica.

"Black Mass" tells the story of Bulger's exploits in Boston when he doubled as an "FBI informant" while still managing to conduct some gangster-ish business.  So, in the 70s and 80s, Boston wasn't just about Carlton Fisk and Roger Clemens.   It was a damn sinister place to live and you see it all on the big screen.  Thugs, snitches, assassins, and crooked politicians.  Except for the Boston accents, you would think this was Episode 8 of "The Sopranos."  Indeed, Tony might regularly play this movie for the family on Christmas Day as they opened their presents.  It's got the same feel and tone.

You don't have time to get bored as director Scott Cooper keeps the carnage coming.  There's a murder every five minutes and dozing is virtually impossible.  Admittedly, you start to lose track of who is doing what to whom. But, the real fun of the movie is knowing that will be always be somebody who is doing something to somebody else.  That's why you immerse yourself in a film of this ilk.

And, of course, you can't help but miss the work of Johnny Depp here.  Deep down behind those crooked teeth and a comb-over of a skull cap, the actor resides and he is thriving.   This is a career-changing performance that is light years away from Captain Jack Sparrow.  He may not get the Oscar, but he is damn sure to get a nomination.  

"Black Mass" is one of the first "serious" movies to come out this fall and it is well worth your time.   But please don't tell them that I said that.  Bad things happen when you open your mouth too much.

LEN'S RATING:  Three-and-a-half stars.

Dinner last night:  Sandwich and macaroni salad.