Over the last few years Johnny Depp has gone from being one of the most respected actors of his generation to one at the end of many punchlines. Be it as it were, the actor's projects have often been found lacking and his aloof personality has seemingly become routine, taking away from Depp's true potential as a top talent.

In Scott Cooper's "Black Mass," Depp makes a startling return to form, presenting viewers with a performance that no one has ever seen from him.

Cooper's movie delves into true life crime lord White Bulger's reign of terror over the streets of Boston in the '70s and '80s, taking the viewer through the character's increasing descent into a murderous villain. What stands out about this portrait is that despite some attempts to humanize Bulger through family bonds and comedy, the portrayal never really comes off as particularly sympathetic.

The same stands for the remaining characters in the movie, none of which really lend themselves to being labeled protagonist. In a film in which the first character onscreen asks to not be called a "snitch" (even though that is exactly what he is doing), it seems that characters are knowingly portrayed as villains. In this context, Whitey's few humanizing aspects almost make him the "best" of the bunch without condoning his behavior.

It makes for an interesting ride with the audience's emotional allegiance thrown through a constant roller coaster. Whitey's story is broken up into pieces with a few segments broken up by the heartbreaking loss of two essential people in his life. It seems to humanize this murderer for the audience and yet Cooper does not really delve into those relationships outside of one scene, almost keeping the viewer at a distance from the character and making it somewhat more difficult to fully identify with his pain.

Depp's performance keeps everyone on their toes, his seamless movement from a charismatic jokester to a cold killer adds to this tumultuous journey. His eyes, a ghostly blue, demand to be looked at, sometimes appearing hollow and even demonic in their expression and at others proving to actually contain humanity and depth. The physicality of the role is what will be most memorable to viewers, particularly in one murder scene.

The remaining cast of stars portray characters that are equally corrupt; those that aren't are far more one-dimensional, emphasizing that this story, at its core, is not meant to have the viewer form any allegiance to a traditional protagonist. The closest we get to one aside from Whitey is Joel Edgerton's John Connolly, an ambitious and fiercely loyal FBI agent who wants to use his friendship with Whitey to capture the Italian Mob in Northern Boston.

Early on there is a sense that Connolly is a rookie trying to make his name. He seems naïve enough to garner viewers' compassion but his turn to the dark side comes rather swiftly that he becomes just as problematic as Whitey. Some scenes in which he bends over backwards to break the law and cover Whitey's back turn his character against the audience as his loyalty and greed harm those that should mean most to him. Edgerton is a fantastic counterpoint to Depp's fierce panther-like Whitey, his Connolly always looking weary and vulnerable.

Benedict Cumberbatch fumbles a bit through his Boston accent, his British enunciation coming through on several occasions. Dakota Johnson is powerfully emotional in one scene with Depp while Peter Sarsgaard is an emotional ticking bomb as Brian Halloran. Rory Cochrane also makes a name for himself as Steve Flemmi; one particular scene has the camera focus on him in closeup as he witnesses a crime. He is still and motionless in this image but his thoughts and conflicted emotions pour out from just looking at him.

"Black Mass" is exactly what you expect from a gangster film. Violent and filled with a great deal of moral questioning. This film is not afraid to throw the viewer into a world where everyone is corrupt; there is simply no one to provide a moral heading or hope. This might challenge audiences, but certainly elevates the material in many respects. Depp's performance in particular is the standout while the film's propulsive pace helps keep the story organized and clear.

Will Audiences Like it?

The film is brutally violent at times and that could certainly turn off some viewers. Others will struggle at the idea of having no real hero to provide a moral compass in a world of criminals. Those willing to take the film on its terms will find Depp exhilarating and the two plus hours running by quickly.