Black Mass

Widely regarded by many as Johnny Depp’s return to form, Black Mass is a crime drama based on true events. James “Whitey” Bulger pursues a life of crime in 1970s Boston whilst his brother Bill (Benedict Cumberbatch) remains a powerful state leader in Massachusetts. Whitey finds himself agreeing to a rather unholy alliance with FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) to help bring down the Italian mob invading his patch. Far from going as plan, this coalition only serves to increase Whitey’s power and he escapes capture to become one of the most dangerous and infamous gangsters in US history.

Depp gives a fantastic performance as the terrifying gangster; his resemblance to James Bulger has been called ‘uncanny’ through the impressive use of prosthetics. The plot is gripping and intense, managing to avoid the cliches of gangster films of old. Most definitely one to watch.

Jess Walker