Johnny Depp's portrayal of James 'Whitey' Bulger was tipped Friday as a potential Oscar winner after "Black Mass", an account of the Boston mobster's life of crime was unveiled to a warm reception at the Venice film festival.
Greeted by thousands of fans, some of whom had been camped out all night, the American star kicked off an at-times rambling press conference with a joke acknowledging that he may appear to be slightly the worse for wear.
"This is non-alcoholic," he said after sipping from a water bottle. "I'm being responsible. So if I slur it's your fault," he said.
Barely recognisable after having been given the Irish-American gangster's severely receding hairline, sallow Celtic complexion and piercing blue eyes, Depp features in almost every scene of Scott Cooper's movie.
It is a biopic that could almost be classed as a buddy movie since at its core is the relationship between Bulger and John Connolly, a childhood friend from the tough, Irish-dominated area of South Boston, who has become an FBI agent.
Connolly persuades his bosses that he can bring down the Italian mafia in the city, if they offer Bulger a degree of protection as an incentive to help provide the leads and evidence they need.
The Faustian pact initially yields rewards, allowing Connolly's career to blossom in parallel with Bulger's development of an empire that grows to eventually include illicit gambling, extortion rackets and much of the city's drug trade.
But as it becomes clear that Connolly has little, if any, control of his supposed informant, Bulger's eventual downfall becomes only a matter of time.
The film ends with Connolly's arrest on charges which eventually lead to him being jailed for life for corruption and for knowingly causing the death of one of Bulger's many victims.
Bulger became a fugitive in 1994 and evaded capture for 17 years. For much of that time he was classed as second only to Osama bin Laden as the United States' most wanted man.
He was finally captured in 2011. Two years later he was convicted of involvement in 11 murders and sentenced to spend the rest of his lift in prison, where he turned 86 on Thursday.
A complex character
Cooper's account spares viewers the worst incidents of extraordinary brutality that punctuated Bulger's criminal career while still providing ample testimony of the sociopathic, sadistic core of his personality.
In one scene culled from real life, he strangles a friend's girlfriend to death in front of him after discovering she knew more than she should about their affairs.
But the Bulger portrayed by Cooper is also a man bestowed with a natural charisma who lets his elderly mother cheat at cards - a world away from the Bulger-based monster played by Jack Nicholson in Martin Scorsese's "The Departed."
Without overlabouring the point, the film includes a reference to the fact that Bulger had taken LSD repeatedly for experiments conducted during an earlier stint in prison.
It also depicts how badly Bulger was affected by the sudden death, from Reye's syndrome, of his six-year-old son, overtly suggesting the loss helped to explain what followed.
"I just had to approach him as a human being," Depp said. "Nobody wakes up and looks in the mirror and thinks 'I'm evil, today I'm going to do something evil.'
"One side to Bulger was his business and in that business he did what he had to do. But there was also a side to him that was a very loving family man. He was a very complicated man."
Cooper revealed that Bulger's lawyer, on a visit to the set, had described Depp's incarnation of his client as "uncanny and chilling," and some influential critics were also impressed.
Variety called his "mesmerising" performance as the best of his career and hailed the film as "one of the fall's first serious awards-caliber attractions."
The Hollywood reporter was not so gushing about the production, branding it "derivative" in places because of its many nods to classic gangster films "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas," but concurred that Depp's performance had been "one of his best."
Depp has been nominated for a Best Actor Oscar three times before but has never won.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Sat Sep 05 2015
US actor Johnny Depp poses during the photocall of the movie "Black Mass" presented out of competition at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2015 at Venice Lido. - AFP Photo/Tiziana Fabi
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.