Warner Bros
In his directorial debut, Scott Cooper scored a major success with “Crazy Heart,” a poignant drama about an alcoholic country music singer (Jeff Bridges) who has repeatedly ruined his life and is on the verge of his final downfall, despite forming an unexpectedly healthy bond with a journalist (Maggie Gyllenhaal). The movie fetched Bridges his first and long-awaited Oscar for Best Actor. Despite the film’s somewhat predictable narrative, Cooper’s directing of his top-tier cast, which included Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall (a nod to the similarly themed “Tender Mercies”), established him as a director who works well with actors.
Cooper’s next project, the gloomy crime saga “Out of the Furnace,” despite its stellar cast (including Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, Zoë Saldaña, among other acting giants), couldn’t resonate with critics. The film also didn’t fare well commercially. However, with the success of “Crazy Heart” still fresh, Cooper got another chance and decided to direct the gangster film “Black Mass.” The movie starred Johnny Depp, in a bald cap, as the real-life Boston mobster Whitey Bulger. The film entered the 2015 awards season with high expectations. Yet, despite Depp’s well-received performance, mixed reviews from critics hampered the film’s success. The movie didn’t do well at the box office and was soon forgotten, like many other Oscar hopefuls.
However, “Black Mass,” like many other overlooked studio films, has found a new lease of life through streaming. The film made its Netflix debut five days ago and is currently ranked fourth, trailing behind Netflix originals “Uglies,” “Rebel Ridge” (a must-watch), and “Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter.” So, what has led to the resurgence of Cooper’s film nearly a decade after its theatrical release?
Scott Cooper’s Meh-fellas
Warner Bros
I watched “Black Mass” when it was first released, and I have no inclination to revisit what I perceived as a lackluster and aimless blend of “Goodfellas” and “The Departed.” Cooper once again brought together a stellar cast (Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Dakota Johnson, to name a few), but the screenplay by Jez Butterworth and Mark Mallouk was disappointingly unoriginal.
However, “Black Mass” does have a certified 73% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is enough to pique the interest of Netflix subscribers. Gangster movies have always been popular (it was one of the first genres to gain traction with audiences at the dawn of the sound era nearly a hundred years ago), so a seemingly well-reviewed film led by a big star like Depp (who remains popular and active after a favorable ruling in the Depp v. Heard lawsuit) is bound to attract attention.
I say “seemingly well-reviewed” because many of the positive reviews, like the one penned by /Film’s Angie Han at the time, range from lukewarm to mixed. However, if viewers approach “Black Mass” with modest expectations, they’re likely to find what they’re seeking: flashy performances (albeit with questionable Boston accents), plenty of violence, and a familiar plot that allows for casual viewing. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
FAQs
1. Who directed “Black Mass”?
Scott Cooper directed “Black Mass.”
2. Who stars in “Black Mass”?
“Black Mass” stars Johnny Depp as the real-life Boston mobster Whitey Bulger.
3. How has “Black Mass” performed on Netflix?
“Black Mass” has found new popularity on Netflix, currently ranking fourth behind Netflix originals “Uglies,” “Rebel Ridge,” and “Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter.”
4. What is the Rotten Tomatoes rating for “Black Mass”?
“Black Mass” holds a certified 73% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
5. Who wrote the screenplay for “Black Mass”?
The screenplay for “Black Mass” was written by Jez Butterworth and Mark Mallouk.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
