South Boston mob boss James J. “Whitey” Bulger terrorized the city for decades, before vanishing in 1994, becoming second on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fugitives list, right behind Osama Bin Laden. In Boston, the mere mention of Bulger’s name conjured images of fear and brutality, conditions that law enforcement officials at all levels of the government appeared powerless to stop. Bulger was finally arrested in 2011, after nearly seventeen years on the lam. Arrested outside an apartment in Santa Monica, California with his longtime girlfriend, Bulger had been hiding in plain sight.
This is not a character study as the first part of the title would suggest. No attempt is made to try and understand how a South Boston son of a longshoreman could grow up to become one of the most famous mobsters/killers in recent history and inspire Jack Nicholson’s character in The Departed. Director Joe Berlinger gets right down to the business of the trial, and potential government corruption.
Now in his eighties, it was finally time for Bulger to face trial back in Boston. Would the families of his numerous victims finally get justice? While Joe Berlinger makes no bones about the fact that Bulger is a very bad guy. He picks up the story just as Bulger’s trial is set to begin in late 2012. He is facing a 33-count indictment—extortion, gambling, murder, drugs—all typical mob activities.
Though we don’t get an on camera interview with Bulger, we hear from him through recorded phone conversations with one of his attorneys addressing some of the charges. The low growl in his voice apparent, this is not a man I’d want to make angry. Bulger isn’t particularly concerned about the murder charges, or even fighting them. What incenses him about the case is the government’s claim that he was an informant—a rat—It was supposed to be the foundation of his defense until the judge ruled it inadmissible.
Bulger’s lawyers are measured and methodical laying out their case. They argue that through payoffs and protection, Bulger had members of the FBI and the Department of Justice in his pocket, turning a blind eye to his crimes. The film includes enough supporting evidence—former FBI agent John Connolly, Jr. was convicted of racketeering and obstruction of justice stemming from his relationship with Bulger and others—that it’s easy to believe that many of the charges are in some way, valid.
Berlinger doesn’t let Bulger off the hook. Throughout, he details the evidence against him via interviews with his victims, investigators, prosecutors, members of his gang, and area journalists. There’s so much information, both old and new, that at times it’s hard to follow. While Whitey definitely exposes some obvious corruption, in the end, it raises more questions than answers. Frustration with the legal system and law enforcement comes not only from Bulger’s side, but from the victims. In interviews, and occasionally on the courthouse steps, they remain resolute in their belief that many of Bulger’s crimes occurred because law enforcement wasn’t particularly concerned with stopping him.
Frustration is the one thing that concerns everyone involved in the case. While the film ends with Bulger’s conviction on nearly all charges. The elderly gangster will spend the rest of his life in prison, but somehow the conviction rings hollow. Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger leaves you with the feeling that you only know part of the story.
Presented in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio, Magnolia Pictures has provided a strong 1080p transfer. As you might expect, the recent interviews offer strong clarity and depth, with excellent colors throughout. There is some older archival footage that looks a bit scratchy, but no more than you would expect. This transfer is everything you would expect from a documentary of this type.
The DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track serves the film very well. The voices in the various interviews come through clean and clear throughout. Everything you would want from a documentary.
English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles are included.
Some Deleted Scenes, Sundance Film Festival Interviews, and the Theatrical Trailer are available.
