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Critics Consensus: An admirable yet incomplete effort to cover a sprawling subject, Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger will leave viewers wanting more -- in good ways as well as bad.
Critic Consensus: An admirable yet incomplete effort to cover a sprawling subject, Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger will leave viewers wanting more -- in good ways as well as bad.
All Critics (48) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (10)
With minimal conspiratorial bluster, Berlinger unmasks the compliant faces of evil.
Within the confines of an under-two-hours running time ... Berlinger does an impressive job of keeping the film coherent and often fascinating.
In this movie, corruption is rife on both sides of the blue line.
With a large cast of wise guys, reporters, ex-cops, victims and lawyers, lawyers, lawyers, it's like five seasons of The Wire distilled into one epic episode.
Joe Berlinger's densely detailed new documentary about the legendary Boston mobster is disturbing on so many levels it's hard not to wonder why Bulger was the only one on trial.
"Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger" takes all of our accumulated experience of places like "Southie" and makes it real. Terrifyingly, frustratingly real.
For fans of The Sopranos or The Wire, this true story about a crime legend is so tightly packaged and emotionally charged, it's sure to keep your interest throughout the entire two hour run time.
Whitey does not begin to scratch the surface of a vicious broken man whose life of crime was such an abomination to afflicted generations of New Englanders that were close in proximity to an out-of-control devil that demanded disorder and devastation.
For those interested in crime procedurals, Whitey offers a compelling - and admirably comprehensive - look at the fraught dynamics within and between federal agencies.
Dense thickets of information, told via rostrum-shot photos and documents plus angry mob's worth of witnesses, become a grind after a while, as does the trite guitar-led mystery music.
A thematic companion to Berlinger's 'Paradise Lost' trilogy, 'Whitey' is less a portrait of the 'hands-on killer who ran amok in the city of Boston for almost 30 years' than an expose of the misdeeds of law enforcement...
A hard-hitting and for the most part crisply told crime exposé documentary on the legendary ruthless South Boston mob boss Whitey Bulger.
Excellent documentary using interviews and actual footage. If you like true crime or are even remotely interested in Whitey Bulger, check this out.
Super Reviewer
Whitey: United States of America V. James J. Bulger serves as both a fascinating crime story and a powerful indictment against the criminal justice system. It's a documentary that gives a detailed account of the Bulger trial, the sensationalism of the man, and the unnerving relationship he had with senior federal and local officials. Director Joe Berlinger weaves an intricate tale in Whitey, starting out examining the unimaginable destruction left in the wake of Whitey's actions, namely the countless victims still waiting for closure. To his credit, Berlinger doesn't stop there. Instead, he examines the central question at issue in the trial, and really the primary point of contention, was he an FBI informant or not? Whitey's defense team presents compelling evidence that it wasn't Whitey that was the informant, but rather key FBI officials, who fed Whitey information and tip offs in exchange for cash. Unbeknownst to Whitey, they also used his name to sign off on wiretaps and search warrants, building a case against the local Italian mob, under the guise of his supposed corroboration. Berlinger does an excellent job weaving the tale together with interviews of lawyers, investigators, victims, and courtroom audio. We are exposed to the different perspectives, while never sacrificing the heat of the story, those whose lives are inextricably linked in the web of corruption. The film certainly leans a certain direction, yet doesn't come across as manipulative, but rather objective and penetrating. In the end, it's an engrossing story that will astound you with its implications. 4/5 Stars
This American biographical documentary produced and directed by Joe Berlinger was completely opposite what would I expect from an Academy Award-nominated director . Produced by CNN Films and Radical Media the film had its world premiere at 2014 Sundance Film Festival . It was an attempt to narrate the trials of gangster James 'Whitey' Bulger, using the legal proceedings as a springboard to explore allegations of corruption within the highest levels of law enforcement. Nothing new. I wish it showed us something we already did not know! Unresolved case, even after the trial will keep being just that... this documentary did not shed any lights on anything particular. Yes, it was nice watching, very smooth directing, but lots of confusion about what is this movie trying to achieve! And over two hours of confusion is never good. If you want to know more about the Boston's most famous 'boss', check it out...
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