meikemarxen Reviews

City of Lies (2018)

Whitaker and Depp nail it

[8/10 · 8 March 2021]

I won´t go into details of the plot, since it can be found in the description of the movie. Whitaker is outstanding in this movie imo. His natural performance and presence gives life and authenticity to the character of journalist Jack Jackson. Johnny Depp is a surprise. Playing the aging retired police officer Russell Poole, his performance is well balanced, reduced and dedicated to capture the truth of Poole´s ambition and motivation. Whitaker and Depp harmonize, and it shows in the dialogues between Jackson and Poole. Two outstanding actors in an ambitioned movie about a timeless subject: finding truth in a swamp of lies.

Black Mass (2015)

Black Mass the Second

[7/10 · 28 October 2015]

This is my second review on Black Mass. After having seen the German version and leaving the theatre rather disappointed and empty, I thought I give it another try. And watched the OV in the cinema. So the whole crime story of an unholy alliance between FBI and mobster Bulger again in Boston American English. I must admit, despite much, maybe too much cursing and blood splatter, the film grew on me. Depp's performance as Bulger definitely works for me (despite the original Bulger not being amused about his portrayal). Maybe the whole thing works best when not related too much to some "true story". True stories and Hollywood - let's face the facts, it's an oxymoron... Taken as a mere gangster movie, it works. I didn't learn very much about Bulger's character or his motivation. The movie is still a collection of murders, crimes and curses. But the somewhat creepy alliance between James "Whitey" Bulger and his boyhood friend John Connolly evolves slowly and subtly from a "friendly" cooperation into a misunderstood loyalty and disaster for everyone involved. Loyalty is the glue and the bomb. But while Connolly insists on his loyalty to Bulger, Bulger stays rather loyal to himself... His criminal energy is always present, perfectly embodied by Johnny Depp. The whole cast is brilliant, may it be main characters or supporting actors. Watching the film a second time gave me a better overview and understanding. And more thrills, despite the movie going at a rather slow pace, and still somehow missing a plot. Yes, it's different than the usual Hollywood Bam-Boom-Bang, smart characters, explosions and car chases. But once I got used to the rather narrative, documentary and distant style, I was at times sucked into the film. Maybe I should watch it a third time...