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.

Whitey is a horrible and fascinating character, but this doc moves away from Whitey the terror and poses the question: did the FBI and Boston authorities knowingly allow him to kill, extort and never be charged with so much as a misdemeanor during the 80s and 90s? My issue with this doc was since there are so many players in this saga, Berlinger did his best to remind you who they all were (doesn't help that they're all named Steve or John or Tommy or Debra) but even with Bulger he was James, Jimmy, Jim, or Whitey. I had a difficult time staying focused and I wish he kept a more linear narrative. The most powerful moment of the film is where Steve Davis learns (on camera) the fate of his friend Rakes—but what was such a huge moment fell kinda flat in where it was placed in the documentary. Berlinger overdid the sweeping helicopter shots (I think he was guilty of this in the Paradise Lost series as well). All in all, still very watchable though.

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.

Outstanding work, original directing, well researched, and pure subject matter. Although I do not agree with every insinuation in the film, it is none the less presented very well. The editing is the real star here which makes the court room dialog's a pleasure to watch. The interviews are personal and enthralling, you can actually feel the victim's emotions. For a long time there was not much information on this subject (for obvious reasons) and now we have several decent documentaries. If you are interested in Boston's organized crime legacy then this picture is a must see!

I am glad Bulger was caught, and he got what he deserved. I hope this can bring piece of mind to many of the families of the victim's he affected. Watch to see what became of several of the Bulger associates I think you will be surprised to learn some of the deals that were cut after the trials!