4 Star

The South, The North, and The FBI.

Relative new comer director Scott Cooper (Out of the Furnace) brings us the true story of one of the FBI’s most wanted criminals James ‘Whitey’ Bulger.

Boston, Massachusetts USA 1975 a doorman stands at his position as a small group of men approach. Kevin (Jesse Plemons, Paul) bars the way, saying he can’t come in even if he knows Jimmy (Johnny Depp, Transcendence), Kevin says that they can’t come in because they have filthy habits like urinating up against the bars walls and a fight breaks out. It’s four against one but Kevin holds his own until the fight is broken up. The guy is a relative of Jimmy’s and Kevin is sent on his way.

The main problem Boston has, in FBI’s mind anyway is the rivalry between the Irish in the south and the Mafia in the North and John Connolly  (Joel Edgerton, The Gift) is charged with bring down the Mafia boss. He is a guy that grew up on the South side along with Jimmy and his brother Billy (Benedict Cumberbatch, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug) and he has the bright idea of using Jimmy as an informant.

Jimmy does not believe in snitching, in fact if he thinks you may be or become a snitch you life is going to be cut short.

With forty to sixty murders taking place between the Winter Hill gang and the Mob the deal with Connolly plays into Jimmy’s hands as a turf war erupts and Jimmy helps out Connolly with where the mob boss is holed up so they can get a wire tap in there.

While all this is going on Jimmy makes deals further afield to increase his empire. People are rubbed out as Jimmy takes on a more active roll after his mother passes away. Billy is Senator for the Boston area and this also helps out Jimmy as lawsuits disappear.

Another great job done by Johnny Depp and Joel Edgerton as we see his character change the more he deals with Jimmy. With supporting rolls from Kevin Bacon and Dakota Johnson. This a really good film that deserves a spot on your shelf.

Available to Order Online Now.