Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger

Greetings again from the darkness. Definitely one of the best documentaries at this year's Dallas International Film Festival, this is one detailed and informative expose' that focuses not just on bad guy Whitey Bulger, but a seemingly corrupt system that allowed him to maintain his power.

Joe Berlinger is an award-winning and very prolific documentarian, and he certainly goes all in here with an overwhelming amount of information, detail and speculation. The film begins with the 2011 arrest of Whitey Bulger after 16 years on the lam. We then explore the trial, as well as the background of Bulger's 30 years of power in South Boston (after his release from Alcatraz).

The interviews are fascinating. We get first person responses from attorneys, thugs from the Bulger syndicate, as well as many of the victim's family members ... some still so desperate for justice after decades of pain.

The Bulger defense team claimed immunity due to his status as an FBI informant. Of course, this claim opens up the real intrigue here ... how deep did the corruption go with local law enforcement, the FBI and the judicial system? Was Bulger empowered by those who should have been protecting the citizens and pursuing him? Many questions are asked, and the likely answers do not quell conspiracy theorists.

While some documentaries seem a bit thin as they stretch material, Mr. Berlinger's approach is to supply much information, many details, and an endless stream of interviews ... all to force us to wonder if Whitey Bulger's reign of southie crime was permitted, even encouraged, by those we thought were the good guys.

James J. Bulger probably is the greatest mobster who ever lived, ending up as the second most wanted fugitive right next to Osama Bin Laden on the FBI's list. He survived 25+ years on the crime-ridden streets without even a slap on the wrist due to—you guessed it—bribery. The potent gangster's wits never failed him until the very end; he had other fellow mobsters doing most of his dirty work like murdering countless people that found themselves involved in this monumental mess of a business in one way or another—they got whacked because they didn't abide by the Bostonian mob's rules. Not to mention, there were the innocent such as Stephen Flemmi's (another mobster by Bulger's side) girlfriend who simply chose to call their relationship off, and boom!—she was dead…because she couldn't be trusted anymore.

See, this crime ring began to far outstretch its original scope as the FBI, themselves, came into the fold and started covering up the numerous nefarious acts committed by these heinous criminals for favors like protection or a nice wad of cash into the pocket. Everything was covered up; everyone continued with their respective business, and everyone protected each other and let nothing slip until the eventual downfall materialized. Suddenly, several mobsters were revealed as FBI informants, and the government agents and gangsters started ratting out on one another, culminating in a colossal display of pure chaos.

This intriguing documentary adopts a crime-thriller style (oftentimes resembling the tone of a film this history actually inspired: The Departed). Acoustic guitar music plays in the background as the true depth of this whole scheme—the chilling ties between the government and the menacing wiseguys out and about in our streets—unravels. An abundance of information and interviews with highly significant figures in this horrific matter flesh out an incredibly compelling and scary story of America's troubled past—of a corruption that streams not only through our transparently wicked but also through those who've promised to serve and protect us. The smell and appearance of money tempts and is never rejected by any human being, and that is the frightening point that is expressed herein: "anyone is prone to corruption" as the film strongly emphasizes. There is no escape from the toxic system we've built and deeply dug ourselves into—the depravity of capitalism will persist 'til the end of days.

In terms of documentaries in general, this will be a very entertaining experience for anyone even though it occasionally gets wrapped up in its somewhat sophisticated presentation of facts, terminology, and the multitude of individuals involved throughout this shameful era. Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger also interestingly does something I see all too rarely in documentaries: even those who you witnessed being interviewed in-person somewhere during its duration unexpectedly meet their deaths in the coming months and years as the narrative proceeds, excellently showcasing the extent of time the filmmakers dedicated to this project and the refreshing unpredictability that comes with it. Overall, this thrilling account will allow you to look through two equally felonious perspectives (that are supposed to be operating on the exact opposite sides of the law, mind you) that first support each other but then come to a clash as all things do: the mob circuit and the US government. If that premise doesn't fascinate you, I have no idea what will.

UNDISPUTED FACT #1: After 16 years at large and 12 years on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, "Whitey" James J. Bulger was arrested in Santa Monica, California, on June 22, 2011.

UNDISPUTED FACT #2: Bulger is a murderer and drug-dealer.

ALLEGATION #1: Bulger was actually not an informant, but that people are out there trying to sully his reputation as being a "classy bad guy".

ALLEGATION #2: There is corruption involving this investigation and trial within the highest levels of law enforcement.

This film chooses to focus on the allegations, not the facts. "Journalistically jumbled", to quote the spot-on statement from John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter. Wouldn't it be far more interesting and useful to examine how this proved killer/drug-dealer avoided capture for such an astonishing length of time? Book-ended by Stephen Rakes' interview, which seems tragically fitting; but otherwise, this documentary just seems like overlong tabloid blah. WHITEY is merely a documentary targeted at DEPARTED fanboys.

** (out of four)

Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger (2014)

*** (out of 4)

Extremely well-detailed account of James 'Whitey' Bulger's reign of terror in Boston and what the FBI knew and covered up. Bulger's story became front page news when he was recaptured after several years on the run and then it became even bigger with the Johnny Depp film BLACK MASS.

This documentary goes into great details in regards to the various crimes that were committed. The documentary really doesn't shy away from blasting not only Bulger but also the FBI who seems to have known a lot more than they ever revealed and it cost a lot of people their lives. The documentary actually makes the FBI the biggest villains and after viewing the film you can't help but agree.

What works the best is that the documentary really covers the story from all sides. We hear from the men who were actually doing the illegal stuff including murder and we also get to hear from the prosecutors as well as the defense. People should be warned that very graphic crime scene photos are also shown and best of all is that we get to hear from the victim's families and see how their lives have been destroyed due to what Bulger was doing.

Documentarian Joe Berlinger has Received Awards and Gratitudes for Presenting True Crime Expose' where Victims can Vent Frustrations while They are Searching for Closure and Perhaps Payback.

He Tries to Frame His Films with Artistry, Like Rock Music, and a Method of Interviewing that Quite Often Takes Place in Moving Cars. This Allows for the Spinning Locations to Backdrop the Footage with Movement and Makes the Interviews Less Stagnant. It's a Cheap, Although Admittedly Somewhat Effective Technique, but it Reeks of an Artsy Addition and is Hokey and Sometimes a Glaring Intrusion.

The Story of Boston Mob Boss James "Whitey" Bulger is so Dense and He Ruled South Boston for So Long and Committed so Many Crimes that the Weight of the Material is Overwhelming. What Goes On in this Film is Berlinger's Attempt to Bring the FBI on Stage and Pick Their Scabs, as Well as Bulger's.

Bulger is a Murderer, and Vile Human Being and that is Never in Doubt. He is Guilty of Multiple Heinous Crimes and that is Never in Doubt. So the Documentary Gives Equal Focus to the FBI's Involvement.

They are Either Guilty and/or Culpable for Allowing Bulger to Run Amok for Two Decades in Return for Information on the Italian Mob, or They are Guilty of Taking Bribes from Bulger for His Free Rein on the Streets. It is Lose-Lose for the FBI However Involved.

It's Never Made Absolutely Clear in the Film as it is Argued on Both Sides For and Against. There are Probably so Many Variations and Shades of Involvement and the Layers of Bad Behavior from both Bulger and the FBI Allowed Innocent People to be Murdered and the Crimes Covered Up and the "Collateral Damage" is Never in Doubt.

Overall, it is a Fascinating Film, and it is Enlightening for the Young and the Naive. But Anyone who Knows Anything about Big Ticket Law Enforcement, J. Edgar Hoover, or the Workings of the Mob (whether Italian or Irish) will Only be Reinforced that Corruption is Rampant in Law Enforcement and Crime Gangs are Well, Crime Gangs.