Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger (2014)

A look at James 'Whitey' Bulger, one of the most infamous criminals in American history.

Director:

Joe Berlinger

Stars:

Stephen Rakes, James 'Whitey' Bulger, Tommy Donahue

6 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen Rakes	...	Himself - Bulger Extortion Victim
James 'Whitey' Bulger	...	Himself - Defendant
Tommy Donahue	...	Himself - Son of Victim Michael Donahue
David Boeri	...	Himself - WBUR Senior Reporter
Steve Davis	...	Himself - Brother of Victim Debra Davis
Dick Lehr	...	Himself - Author / Journalist
Shelley Murphy	...	Herself - Boston Globe Reporter
Patricia Donahue	...	Herself - Wife of Victim Michael Donahue
J.W. Carney Jr.	...	Himself - Bulger Defense Attorney (voice)
Kevin Cullen	...	Himself - Boston Globe Coulmnist
Kevin Weeks	...	Himself - Former Member, Winter Hill Gang
Bob Long	...	Himself - Det. Liut. Inspector, Massachusetts State Police, Retired
T.J. English	...	Himself - Author / Journalist
Angela Clemente	...	Herself - Forensic Intelligence Analyst
Bob Fitzpatrick	...	Himself - Former FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC)

Storyline

WHITEY: United States of America v. James J. Bulger captures the sensational trial of infamous gangster James 'Whitey' Bulger, using the legal proceedings as a springboard to explore allegations of corruption within the highest levels of law enforcement. Embedded for months with Federal Prosecutors, retired FBI and State Police, victims, lawyers, gangsters and journalists, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger examines Bulger's relationship with the FBI and Department of Justice that allowed him to reign over a criminal empire in Boston for decades. Pulling back the curtain on long-held Bulger mythology, the film challenges conventional wisdom by detailing shocking, new allegations. With unprecedented access, Berlinger's latest crime documentary offers a universal tale of human frailty, opportunism, deception, and the often elusive nature of truth and justice.

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Plot Keywords:

gangster | reference to whitey bulger | 

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Taglines:

The FBI thought they had him. It was the other way around.

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some crime scene images

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

USA vs. Gangsteren Whitey

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,287, 29 June 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$75,644, 15 August 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

CNN Films, RadicalMedia

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jack Nicholson's character in The Departed (2006) is based on James 'Whitey' Bulger.

User Reviews

FBI Corruption, Crime Gang Murders, and Collateral Damage

Documentarian Joe Berlinger has Received Awards and Gratitudes for Presenting True Crime Expose' where Victims can Vent Frustrations while They are Searching for Closure and Perhaps Payback.

He Tries to Frame His Films with Artistry, Like Rock Music, and a Method of Interviewing that Quite Often Takes Place in Moving Cars. This Allows for the Spinning Locations to Backdrop the Footage with Movement and Makes the Interviews Less Stagnant. It's a Cheap, Although Admittedly Somewhat Effective Technique, but it Reeks of an Artsy Addition and is Hokey and Sometimes a Glaring Intrusion.

The Story of Boston Mob Boss James "Whitey" Bulger is so Dense and He Ruled South Boston for So Long and Committed so Many Crimes that the Weight of the Material is Overwhelming. What Goes On in this Film is Berlinger's Attempt to Bring the FBI on Stage and Pick Their Scabs, as Well as Bulger's.

Bulger is a Murderer, and Vile Human Being and that is Never in Doubt. He is Guilty of Multiple Heinous Crimes and that is Never in Doubt. So the Documentary Gives Equal Focus to the FBI's Involvement.

They are Either Guilty and/or Culpable for Allowing Bulger to Run Amok for Two Decades in Return for Information on the Italian Mob, or They are Guilty of Taking Bribes from Bulger for His Free Rein on the Streets. It is Lose-Lose for the FBI However Involved.

It's Never Made Absolutely Clear in the Film as it is Argued on Both Sides For and Against. There are Probably so Many Variations and Shades of Involvement and the Layers of Bad Behavior from both Bulger and the FBI Allowed Innocent People to be Murdered and the Crimes Covered Up and the "Collateral Damage" is Never in Doubt.

Overall, it is a Fascinating Film, and it is Enlightening for the Young and the Naive. But Anyone who Knows Anything about Big Ticket Law Enforcement, J. Edgar Hoover, or the Workings of the Mob (whether Italian or Irish) will Only be Reinforced that Corruption is Rampant in Law Enforcement and Crime Gangs are Well, Crime Gangs.