From Oscar-nominated director Joe Berlinger (Paradise Lost) comes this film, which follows the 2013 trial of Boston ex-mobster James “Whitey” Bulger. Bulger has ruled the organized crime world in Boston for over 25 years and was finally apprehended in 2011, after being on the run for 16 years, and charged with 19 counts of murder. The ensuing trial was less about about determining Bulger’s guilt in his crimes and more about Bulger’s claim that he was never an informant for the F.B.I., as they claim, and was instead granted immunity. Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger listens to both sides of the story and tries to determine the truth to this case. This depiction of the trial of James “Whitey” Bulger shows that true crime stories like this one can be just as enthralling (if not more) than any Hollywood crime thriller (ironically, a Hollywood film about Bulger entitled Black Mass is scheduled for release next year). While Bulger did not really deny his guilt in many of his crimes, he denies that he was ever an informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The film does indeed suggest there being quite a bit of corruption in the Boston branch of the F.B.I., with some even calling the Bureau “the most organized crime family on the planet.” It will probably remain unknown whether “Whitey” Bulger is telling the truth about never being an informant or whether he was merely trying to improve the narrative of his life, so he would be known as a “good bad guy,” who didn’t rat on his friends and didn’t murder women (which was also alleged). Altogether, Whitey is a very well done documentary, which even includes some surprising twists and turns. 9 | REALLY LIKED IT Screenings:
- Sun, May 4, 9:30 PM – Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
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