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External links: Educational link to interview conducted by John Erling with Detective Mike Huff about his investigation into Whitey Bulgers involvement in the murder of Tulsan Roger Wheeler. Archived at non-profit www.VoicesofOklahoma.com
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* {{Metacritic|black-mass|Black Mass}}
* {{Metacritic|black-mass|Black Mass}}
* [http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/black-mass/ ''Black Mass''] at History vs. Hollywood
* [http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/black-mass/ ''Black Mass''] at History vs. Hollywood
* [http://voicesofoklahoma.com/interview/wheeler-roger/ Voices of Oklahoma interview with Detective Mike Huff about his investigation into Whitey Bulgers involvement in the murder of Tulsan Roger Wheeler.] First person interview conducted on June 13, 2013 with Detective Mike Huff about his investigation into Whitey Bulgers involvement in the murder of Tulsan Roger Wheeler. Original audio and transcript archived with [http://voicesofoklahoma.com/ Voices of Oklahoma oral history project.]


{{Scott Cooper}}
{{Scott Cooper}}

Revision as of 23:32, 9 September 2015

Black Mass
Theatrical release poster
Directed byScott Cooper
Screenplay by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMasanobu Takayanagi
Edited byDavid Rosenbloom[3]
Music byJunkie XL[4]
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
  • September 4, 2015 (2015-09-04) (Venice)[1]
  • September 18, 2015 (2015-09-18) (United States)[2]
Running time
122 minutes[5]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$63 million[6]

Black Mass is an upcoming 2015 American crime film directed by Scott Cooper and written by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth, based on the 2001 novel Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill. The film stars Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, Jesse Plemons, Peter Sarsgaard, Rory Cochrane, Adam Scott, Dakota Johnson, and Corey Stoll.

The film follows the criminal career of infamous Irish-American mobster Whitey Bulger (Depp). Principal photography of the film began on May 19, 2014 in Boston, and wrapped up on August 1, 2014. The film had its world premiere at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival.[7] The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. worldwide on September 18, 2015.[8]

Plot

The film depicts the true story of Whitey Bulger, a prominent leader of organized crime in South Boston. Whitey is the brother of Massachusetts State Senator William "Billy" Bulger. Following a string of violent acts, he becomes an FBI informant for 30 years in order to take down a Mafia family invading his turf. The film focuses on the period of the late 1970s and early 1980s, as Whitey was solidifying his position as leader of the Irish-American Winter Hill Gang.

Cast

Sienna Miller was cast and filmed scenes as Catherine Greig, but her scenes ended up getting cut from the film due to "narrative choices". [17] [18]

Production

Development

Barry Levinson was set to direct a film based on Whitey Bulger, the Boston crime boss.[19] The film Black Mass (script by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth), is based on the book by Boston Globe reporters Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill, and is said to be the "true story of William "Billy" Bulger, Whitey Bulger, FBI agent John Connolly and the FBI's witness protection program that was created by J. Edgar Hoover."[20] Later in January 2014 Cooper attached to re-write and direct the film.[21] On February 27, 2014, Warner Bros. picked the film's worldwide distribution rights eyeing for an October 2015 release, and the studio will also co-finance the film with Cross Creek.[22]

Casting

Benedict Cumberbatch replaced Guy Pearce as William "Billy" Bulger on May 22, 2014.[9] On June 10, it was announced that Jeremy Strong would be starring the film.[16] On June 14, James Russo joined the cast of the film to play Scott Garriola, an FBI agent, one of the who took down Bulger.[14] On June 26, Kevin Bacon was added to the cast to play Charles McGuire, the FBI Special Agent in charge of the Boston field office and John Connelly's boss.[11] On June 1, David Harbour was added to the cast of the film to star as John Morris, a corrupt FBI agent along with fellow FBI agent John Connolly.[13]

The roles for John Connolly - who was Whitey Bulger's FBI handler - and his first wife Marianne were filled by Joel Edgerton and Julianne Nicholson, respectively. Scott Cooper chose Nicholson for the part after her performance as Sally in Sam Shepard's off-Broadway play Heartless (before Claire van der Boom had succeeded her for the play's two-week extension). Edgerton developed his portrayal of John Connolly by studying past footage of the FBI agent before his imprisonment, some of which include his appearances in talk shows and in courtrooms. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Edgerton revealed that he declined trying to meet with the actual John Connolly, reasoning that Connolly "has one version of events and the film has a different version."[23][24][25][26]

In preparing for his role, Johnny Depp similarly studied surveillance and police audio footage involving Bulger. The actor was adamant in depicting the Boston gang leader's criminal and personal life as would be ultimately portrayed in the film. To achieve that, Depp had attempted to meet with Bulger himself, but was declined a meeting and instead consulted Jay Carney, Bulger's attorney. Carney appeared on the set of filming a few times to provide feedback on Depp's imitation of Whitey Bulger.[27][25][28][29]

Filming

Principal photography commenced on May 19, 2014 in Boston;[22][30] actors were spotted filming scenes in Dorchester.[31] On May 23, some shots were also filmed at Polish American Club (altered to recreate the Triple O's Lounge, Whitey's infamous South Boston hangout), on Cambridge St in Cambridge.[32][33] On May 27, the filming was taking place in East Boston where Johnny Depp and Jesse Plemons were spotted together on the set.[34] Next day on May 28, Joel Edgerton was spotted in the shape of John Connolly during the filming of a scene on Silver Street in South Boston.[35][36] On June 4, Depp was spotted in Lynn during the recreation of 1982 murders of Brian Halloran and Michael Donahue by Bulger.[37] On June 6–7, Depp was spotted filming scenes at Copley Square in Boston.[38]

On June 9, Depp's 51st birthday, he was spotted filming scenes on location in Quincy,[39][40] where actress Johnson was also spotted in Back Bay during the past few days, who is playing Whitey Bulger's longtime former girlfriend Lindsey Cyr.[41] On June 11, shooting was underway in Lynn, where the crew was filming scenes in which Bulger, and Stephen Flemmi pick up a prostitute Deborah Hussey (played by Juno Temple) from the police station, Temple was spotted on the set.[42][43] On June 16, Depp and Plemons were spotted on the set of the film in South Boston.[44] On June 20, news posted some photos from the set of the film, which features some classic cars from the film set in South Boston.[45] On June 23, Cumberbatch and Depp were spotted during the re-creation of Saint Patrick's Day parade scenes in Lynn.[46][47] On June 24, film was shot at the Harvard Club in Boston.[48] On June 26, Cumberbatch was spotted with crew during the filming around Ashmont Grill in Dorchester.[49] On June 29, the pavement outside South Boston High School had graffiti readings "Stop Forced Busing" and "Press Print the Truth."[50]

On July 2, Depp and Cumberbatch both were spotted together filming some scenes in Boston.[51] On July 7–8, the filming was set to take place on Gilson road in Quincy.[52] A four-story building on 6 Gilson Road was transformed to resemble the Princess Eugenia apartments in Santa Monica, California, where FBI agents arrested Bulger on June 22, 2011. Arrest scenes were filmed there on July 7 and 8, Miller was also spotted dressed as Catherine Greig.[53][54] From July 8-10, they filmed scenes on Revere Beach for the film so that portion of Revere Beach remained closed, and July 11-12, Revere Beach Boulevard was remained closed for shooting.[55] Revere Beach was transformed into Miami Beach, Florida, as live palm trees had been planted in the sand and a pizza restaurant was transformed into a Cuban cafe on Revere Beach Boulevard across the street from Beach.[56] Depp as Whitey Bulger and Miller as Catherine Greig were spotted on the Black Mass set on the Revere Beach on July 10, 2014.[57]

On July 15, Cumberbatch wrapped filming for his part in the film in Boston.[58] On July 21, Depp filmed some scenes for the film at the former Anthony's Hawthorne restaurant, located at Oxford St and Central Ave in Lynn, MA.[59] Depp's wife Amber Heard visited Depp on the set of the film on July 21, the last day of filming for Depp's role.[60] Director Cooper told The Boston Globe that filming had still to be taken place for two more weeks in Boston, and focus on the FBI's role in the Bulger story.[60] On July 25, Kevin Bacon was spotted in Boston for the filming of some remaining scenes for the film. Depp had reportedly completed his role while some actors and crew were filming last scenes.[61] According to The Boston Globe, the filming for Black Mass wrapped up on Friday August 1, 2014, in Boston.[62][63]

Release

On June 30, 2014, Warner Bros. set the film for a September 18, 2015 worldwide release.[8] It was selected to be shown in the "Fuori Concorso" section of the Venice Film Festival. It was also shown at Telluride Film Festival the next day, and in the Special Presentation section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.[64]

Marketing

On April 23, 2015, the first trailer for the film was released, followed by a second trailer on May 22.[65][66] A third trailer was released on July 30.[67]

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has a rating of 81%, based on 16 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10.[68] On Metacritic, the film has a rating of 71 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[69]

Johnny Depp's portrayal of Whitey Bulger has received critical acclaim, with a majority of the reviews applauding it as one of his best roles to date. Hollywood Reporter's Todd McCarthy, in addition to praising the film, hailed Depp's performance as "fully convincing and frightening", arguing it to be "very welcome at this point in his career and one of his best."[70] Similarly, Indie Wire's Eric Kohn complimented the cast, but highlighted both Depp's performance and Cooper's directorial efforts to depict "the haunting legacy of Bulger's criminal deeds, and the lingering sense that no justice can erase their impact."[71] Admiring Black Mass as an "elegantly understated crime drama", Variety's Scott Foundas positively compared Depp's performance in the film to his earlier roles with Tim Burton.[72]

TheWrap's Alonso Duralde praised Depp's performance in Black Mass, but was less positive towards the film's pacing and short onscreen appearances of some supporting characters.[73] BBC Culture's Nicolas Barber also found some of the subplots to be unnecessary (specifically mentioning Benedict Cumberbatch's role as Billy Bulger), and argues that "the film is never bad, but, given the gob-smacking true story, it’s disappointing that it’s not great."[74] In a negative review, CraveOnline's Fred Topel labeled Black Mass as a "black mess." He criticized the screenwriting and argues that the film borrows too heavily from Goodfellas, writing: "...it’s clear that the filmmakers wanted to turn this into Goodfellas and tried to shoehorn this story into a similar kind of seductive, funny, shocking gangster tale. ...Several scenes seem to want to be like the “How am I funny?” scene in Goodfellas, but it’s blatant."[75]

References

  1. ^ Nick Vivarelli. "Johnny Depp-Starrer 'Black Mass' To World Premiere At Venice Film Festival". Variety.
  2. ^ Dave McNary. "Johnny Depp Whitey Bulger Movie Release Date: Sept. 18, 2015 - Variety". Variety.
  3. ^ "Filming Starts on Untitled Whitey Bulger Film, Starring Johnny Depp". Latino-Review.com.
  4. ^ "Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL) to Score Scott Cooper's 'Black Mass' - Film Music Reporter". filmmusicreporter.com.
  5. ^ "BLACK MASS (15)". British Board of Film Classification. September 4, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  6. ^ Kevin Jagernauth (January 14, 2014). "Johnny Depp May Circle Back To Whitey Bulger Pic 'Black M - The Playlist". The Playlist.
  7. ^ "Venice Film Festival Review: Black Mass". HK Neo Reviews. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  8. ^ a b McNary, Dave (June 30, 2014). "Johnny Depp's Whitey Bulger Movie Set for Sept. 18, 2015". variety.com. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Benedict Cumberbatch to Take On Bulger Role in Black Mass", Boston.com; accessed December 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "Benedict Cumberbatch Replaces Guy Pearce in Johnny Depp's Whitey Bulger Movie", Variety.com; accessed December 8, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Yamato, Jen (June 26, 2014). "Kevin Bacon Joins 'Black Mass'". deadline.com. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  12. ^ "Peter Sarsgaard joins Black Mass as a favor", IGN.com; accessed December 8, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "David Harbour Adds To 'Black Mass'". deadline.com. July 1, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  14. ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (June 14, 2014). "James Russo Will Slap the Cuffs on Johnny Depp's Whitey Bulger in 'Black Mass'". thewrap.com. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  15. ^ "Adam Scott Joins Johnny Depp in 'Black Mass' (Exclusive)", HollywoodReporter.com; accessed December 8, 2014.
  16. ^ a b Yamato, Jen (June 10, 2014). "Jeremy Strong Joins 'Selma,' 'Black Mass,' 'Time Out Of Mind'". deadline.com. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  17. ^ [1], eonline.com; accessed September 3, 2015.
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  20. ^ Cappadona, Bryanna (June 20, 2013). "Who Should Play Whitey Bulger in Black Mass?". Boston. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  21. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (January 14, 2014). "'Out Of The Furnace' Helmer Scott Cooper In Talks For 'Black Mass;' Johnny Depp Talks To Play Whitey Bulger Reignite". deadline.com. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
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  23. ^ Meredith Goldstein (September 4, 2015). "Medford native Julianne Nicholson on role in 'Black Mass'". Boston Globe. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  24. ^ "Claire Van Der Boom Replaces Julianne Nicholson in Sam Shepard's Heartless Off-Broadway". Broadway.com. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  25. ^ a b Charles McGrath (September 8, 2015). "'Black Mass' Resurrects Boston's Long Memories of Whitey Bulger". New York Times. Retrieved September 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ Caryn James (September 9, 2015). "Joel Edgerton's Sudden Spotlight, in 'Black Mass' and 'The Gift'". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Jodi Guglielmi (September 5, 2015). "SCOOP: Black Mass Director Scott Cooper Talk Johnny Depp's 'Utterly Transfixing' Physical Transformation (VIDEO)". People. Retrieved September 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ Marlow Stern (September 4, 2015). "Johnny Depp Talks Transforming into Whitey Bulger in 'Black Mass' (and His Dogs)". The Daily Beast. Retrieved September 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ Ariston Anderson (September 4, 2015). "Venice: Johnny Depp Talks Becoming James "Whitey" Bulger in 'Black Mass'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ Christine (May 12, 2014). "First confirmed location for 'Black Mass', starring Johnny Depp, in Boston!". onlocationvacations.com. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  31. ^ Shanahan, Mark; Goldstein, Meredith (May 20, 2014). "'Black Mass' films in Dorchester". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  32. ^ Goldstein, Meredith (May 26, 2014). "Scott Cooper films more 'Black Mass' in Cambridge". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  33. ^ Christine (May 16, 2014). "'Black Mass' Boston filming location for May 27". onlocationvacations.com. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  34. ^ Shanahan, Mark (May 28, 2014). "'Black Mass' shoots in East Boston, 'Grey Lady' in South Boston". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  35. ^ Goldstein, Meredith (May 28, 2014). "John Connolly news in court, on 'Black Mass' set". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  36. ^ Longhetti, Chloe-Lee (May 29, 2014). "Joel Edgerton rocks the 70s look for new role in Black Mass". dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  37. ^ "Johnny Depp, as Whitey, recreates Halloran murder". bostonglobe.com. June 4, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  38. ^ Shanahan, Mark; Goldstein, Meredith (June 9, 2014). "Johnny Depp takes a break from his Whitey Bulger costume". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  39. ^ Weitzer, Nathaniel (June 10, 2014). "Johnny Depp, as Whitey Bulger, films 'Black Mass' at Quincy home". wcvb.com. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  40. ^ Christine (June 9, 2014). "Catch Johnny Depp filming 'Black Mass' in Quincy, MA tomorrow". onlocationvacations.com. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  41. ^ Shanahan, Mark; Goldstein, Meredith (June 10, 2014). "Dakota Johnson spotted on 'Black Mass' set". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  42. ^ Goldstein, Meredith; Shanahan, Mark (June 12, 2014). "'Black Mass' takes its sets to Lynn and back to the '70s and '80s". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  43. ^ GOWER, ELEANOR (June 12, 2014). "Juno Temple sports crop top, leather shorts and frizzy perm for role of prostitute Deborah Hussey in 'Whitey' Bulger biopic". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  44. ^ Christine (June 17, 2014). "New photos of Johnny Depp, Jesse Plemons, and Amber Heard on the set of 'Black Mass'". onlocationvacations.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  45. ^ Baker, Billy (June 20, 2014). "South Boston casts a critical eye on 'Black Mass'". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  46. ^ Stevens, Chris (June 24, 2014). "Stargazers flock to Lynn for 'Black Mass' shoot". itemlive.com. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
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  50. ^ Randall, Eric (June 30, 2014). "Black Mass Keeps Throwing Southie into the Past". bostonmagazine.com. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
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  55. ^ "Partial closure of Revere Beach Tuesday for 'Black Mass'". itemlive.com. July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  56. ^ "Revere Beach transforms into Miami Beach for 'Black Mass'". bostonglobe.com. July 8, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  57. ^ Fee, Gayle (July 11, 2014). "Johnny Depp, Sienna Miller & Co. make waves at Revere Beach". bostonherald.com. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
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  61. ^ "Kevin Bacon on the scene for 'Black Mass'". bostonglobe.com. July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  62. ^ Lehr, Dick (July 31, 2014). "Whitey movie eerie experience for 'Black Mass' coauthor". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  63. ^ "Whitey movie eerie experience for 'Black Mass' coauthor". bostonglobe.com. July 31, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
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  66. ^ "Black Mass (2015) Feature Trailer". Trailer Addict. September 18, 2015.
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  70. ^ Todd McCarthy (September 4, 2015). "'Black Mass': Venice Review". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  71. ^ Eric Kohn (September 7, 2015). "Telluride Review: Johnny Depp is Trying Something Very Different in 'Black Mass'". Indie Wire. Retrieved September 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  72. ^ Scott Foundas (September 4, 2015). "Venice Film Review: Johnny Depp in 'Black Mass'". Variety (magazine). Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  73. ^ Alonso Duralde (September 4, 2015). "'Black Mass' Venice Review: Johnny Depp Returns to Actual Acting in Gripping True-Crime Tale". TheWrap. Retrieved September 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  74. ^ Nicolas Barber (September 4, 2015). "Black Mass: Is Johnny Depp A Hit?". BBC Culture. Retrieved September 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  75. ^ Fred Topel (September 8, 2015). "Telluride 2015 Review: 'Black Mass' Is a Black Mess". CraveOnline. Retrieved September 9, 2015.