The Under-Ranked: Black Mass
The new film from director Scott Cooper – who is known for Crazy Heart and Out of the Furnace – is a crime drama based on Whitey Bulger’s story; An American convicted murderer and a former organized crime boss who formed an unholy alliance. Dealing with the story is a great opportunity for veteran actors to once again show the world why they are such big names in the movie industry. In the trailer, we see a changed and intimidating Johnny Depp that reminds us that how having a variety of roles is important for every actor.
Kevin Bacon is probably one of the best underrated American actors. Known from films like Footloose, and Mystic River, and many supporting roles, he also performed in the movie Diner, back in 1982. His remarkable performance helped the film earn praise as one of Barry Levinson‘s finest works.
Depp is a world-famous actor known mostly for his roles as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of Caribbean series, the title role in Edward Scissorhands, and Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. But not everyone knows that Depp’s very first movie acting role was in the recently passed Wes Craven‘s most famous film: A Nightmare on Elm Street. Released in 1984, it became a cult slasher film hit. Although perhaps not his most challenging role, Depp played it convincingly – foreshadowing the career that was ahead of him.
In the film, Kinky Boots, a man named Charlie Price faces the impending shut down of the Northampton shoe factory that his family has owned and operated for generations. Later, he meets a drag performer named Lola; the unusual relationship that emerges might possibly save the business. The film itself received mixed reviews, but the acting was highly regarded; Chiwetel Ejiofor was nominated for a Golden Globe and Joel Edgerton held his own as the lead, Charlie.
Benedict Cumberbatch is a British actor mostly known for playing Sherlock Holmes in the contemporary TV adaptation of the famous detective’s adventures, and film roles which include The Imitation Game, and Star Trek Into Darkness. But before that, Cumberbatch starred in Amazing Grace – a movie centered on the campaign against slave trade in the British Empire led by William Wilberforce. In the film, he plays William Pitt the Younger, a man known in history as the youngest Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This garnered him a nomination for the London Film Critics Circle “British Breakthrough Acting Award”.
Black Mass was recently released and is still gaining buzz. It probably has the potential to garner an Oscar nomination for Depp. This flick could also be considered a comeback for the actor, whose most recent movies (Mortdecai, Transcendence, The Lone Ranger) haven’t been performing well commercially, or critically.
Have you seen Black Mass? Was it worth seeing? Are the performances good? Which roles from the past of the main actors do you like most? Please leave your opinions in the comment section!