As a film enthusiast with a keen interest in true crime narratives, I find the untold tale of James “Whitey” Bulger’s younger brother, John, to be an intriguing and compelling story that could have enriched the narrative of the movie “Black Mass.
The 2015 mafia film starring Johnny Depp titled “Black Mass” is now available for streaming on Netflix. This crime drama delves into the life of infamous mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger, who ruled as the head of the Winter Hill Gang in Boston for many years before going into hiding to dodge a RICO indictment. Depp portrays the character with fervor and authenticity. The movie also features an impressive ensemble cast that includes Jesse Plemons, Dakota Johnson, Joel Egerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, and Correy Stoll.
Johnny Depp isn’t new to gangster films; he’s portrayed drug trafficker George Jung in “Blow,” Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger in “Public Enemies,” and undercover FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone in “Donnie Brasco.” He delivers another impressive performance here, with the help of stunning set designs and an emotionally resonant screenplay.
The film provides an in-depth portrayal of the criminal’s life, as it is adapted from the book “Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob” written by investigative journalists Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill. However, there are some aspects missing that could have further improved the narrative and taken the depiction to the pinnacle of its genre.
6 The Details of Bulger’s Capture
Despite being quite engaging, Black Mass is notably compact, leaving viewers wanting more once Whitey Bulger goes into hiding. This is unfortunate since a great deal transpired after that point. Interestingly, Bulger was apprehended in 2011 following 16 years on the run. At the time, he ranked second only to Osama bin Laden on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, demonstrating his skill at remaining elusive, much like Al Qaeda’s leader. The question remains: what finally led to his capture? As reported by ABC News, Bulger was eventually taken into custody when the FBI managed to trace the serial numbers of his girlfriend Catherine Greig’s breast implants back to the plastic surgeon’s office.
A Sequel Would be Good
Reflecting on the movie, released four years following Bulger’s capture, it seems inexcusable that such a vital detail was omitted. As a fan, I can’t help but wonder if director Scott Cooper felt pressured about maintaining a lean runtime, fearing an overly lengthy film. However, even the finest gangster movies are renowned for testing one’s bladder patience. Sometimes, the narrative is so captivating that it deserves the time to unfold fully.
In the 16-year period that Bulger was in hiding, none of those events were depicted in any way, opening up an opportunity for Warner Bros. to create a sequel. Given that the original film earned $100 million at the box office and Johnny Depp no longer has legal issues, this could be a promising direction.
5 Bulger Was Once in the Air Force
For individuals familiar with the true events, the film “Black Mass” may feel disappointing due to its omission of significant aspects of Whitey Bulger’s background. For instance, it fails to disclose that he served in the US Air Force. Following his release from a juvenile reformatory, he enlisted in the military and obtained his high school diploma. Regrettably, his stint in the military did not lead to any reform in his behavior.
According to the book “The Brothers Bulger” by Howie Carr, he served multiple terms in military prison due to several assaults and was also apprehended by Air Force police in 1950 for desertion without official leave. Eventually, he received an honorable discharge in 1952.
…And He Isn’t the Only One to go the Military-Mob Route
This disclosure makes it clear why Bulger turned out to be so unyielding and merciless. His natural stubbornness was amplified by the military, making him more resilient. Instead of molding him into an asset for his nation, the Kansas Smoky Hill Air Force base transformed him into a prickly problem.
It’s worth noting that quite a few gangsters were former military personnel. This group includes Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, who served as underboss to John Gotti, Albert Anastasia, Henry Hill of ‘Goodfellas’, and Charles “Lucky” Luciano. While it’s debatable that the military fosters criminals, it’s important to remember that this is only a tiny fraction of veterans. The majority of veterans go on to lead honorable lives as upstanding citizens.
4 Lindsey Cyr Wasn’t the Only Woman Bugler Dated
Black Mass provides a brief overview of Whitey Bulger’s relationship with Lindsey Cyr. They cohabited and had a son named Douglas, who tragically passed away due to Reye syndrome. This led Lindsey to make the heart-wrenching decision to disconnect life support, despite Bulger’s fierce opposition. Lindsey felt guilty for Douglas’ demise as his health deteriorated following an excess dosage of aspirin she administered.
The film fails to depict the significant roles of two other women in Bulger’s life: Theresa Stanley and Catherine Greig. Remarkably, it was a mistake by Catherine that led to the apprehension of the gangster. Fascinatingly, despite him murdering two of her brothers-in-law, Catherine continued to stand by him. Initially, he fled with Theresa, but as she grew weary, he abandoned her and began traveling with Catherine instead.
The Movie’s Romance Arc Is Dull
In the predominantly male realm of organized crime, stories centered around women are often scarce. However, visionary directors such as Martin Scorsese and Barry Levinson have demonstrated that compelling female characters can transform gangster movies into captivating pieces of art. Take, for instance, Sharon Stone’s fiery performance as Ginger in Casino. Lorraine Bracco also shines in Goodfellas, portraying the gun-wielding mob wife and unapologetic instigator who rouses her husband from sleep with a gun to his face.
If Theresa Stanley and Catherine Creig had been part of the cast, the romantic storylines might have been more engaging. Although Dakota Johnson delivers a solid performance as Lindsey Cyr, her character is excessively melancholic and self-absorbed, making it challenging for viewers to connect with her emotionally. Additionally, she doesn’t have much screen time.
3 Bulger’s Controversial Lottery Win
One of the quick scenes in the film shows a newspaper clip revealing that Bulger and an associate have won around US $14 million in the lottery. Well, there is more to the story than the Winter Hill Gang leader being a lucky gambler. He was no Arnold Rothstein for sure.
In the summer of 1991, Michael Linskey, a resident of South Boston, claimed to state lottery officials that he was in business with gangster James J. “Whitey” Bulger, who owned the South Boston Liquor Mart, implying that he was entitled to half of the winnings from a lottery ticket purchased there. However, this partnership claim was false; it was revealed by Salon that Bulger had pressured Linskey into making such a statement.
Getting Money by all Means Possible
It’s hardly unexpected that the lottery winnings were handed out by Mr. Linskey, as such behavior mirrors that of the infamous Boston gangster, Whitey Bulger. Known for his ruthless methods, it comes as no surprise that underworld figures might resort to illicit means to amass wealth, and this incident seems to fit the profile.
Instead of watching the real events unfold, it would have been more chilling to see Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Whitey Bulger in a movie. His character as one of the most frightening film gangsters adds an extra layer of terror, particularly when Linskey is shown trembling at the prospect of accepting an offer he cannot refuse. This would have intensified the overall feeling of dread and made the movie even more legendary.
2 The Time a Businessman Recognized Bulger from a Movie Scene
A sequel to “Black Mass” could be an exciting cat-and-mouse chase movie given that the gangster was adept at avoiding law enforcement. Interestingly, the initial confirmed public sighting of James “Whitey” Bulger was in London during 2002, according to The Boston Globe. In that same year, “Hannibal,” the sequel to “Silence of the Lambs,” was released. Remarkably, a businessman recognized Bulger while watching a movie and recalled seeing him in a hotel gym just moments earlier.
In a movie sequence, a detective searching for the made-up murderer Dr. Hannibal Lecter scans an online FBI Most Wanted list. As he glances through it, he swiftly skims over the photo of Bulger without giving it a second look.
Stranger than Fiction
It’s intriguing that a film about a tough-to-catch serial killer, much like real-life criminal Bulger or fictional character Hannibal Lecter, posed a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies. Quite fascinating indeed!
The narrative brings to mind similarities with another Johnny Depp gangster film, “Public Enemies.” In this movie, John Dillinger (played by Depp) is apprehended as he exits a theater following a screening of the pre-Code crime drama, “Manhattan Melodrama.” It’s interesting how movies can unexpectedly disrupt criminal activities.
1 The Story of Bulger’s Younger Brother, John
In terms of family members, the film “Black Mass” predominantly explores William “Billy” Bulger, Bulger’s brother, who held the position of Massachusetts Senate president. The character portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch as a politician is captivating, yet another Bulger sibling who plays a significant role in the real-life story remains unexplored in the movie.
In another twist, it was revealed that the criminal’s sibling, John P. Bulger, held him in high esteem. In 2003, John received a six-month prison term for hindering the police’s efforts to apprehend his brother Whitey. He admitted guilt on two counts of lying under oath and two counts of obstructing justice.
Family Loyalty
In my humble opinion as a film critic, the character John embodies a loyalty to family that is strikingly reminiscent of the ruthless world portrayed in “Black Mass.” Though he may not have walked the criminal path himself, his unwavering commitment to family mirrors the choices made by characters within this gritty underworld. The idea of spending two hours delving into the existence of a criminal’s brother might initially seem mundane, but with the masterful storytelling of Scott Cooper and his team, John’s tale could have been nothing short of spellbinding.
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2024-09-17 00:32