While "Black Mass"actor Johnny Depp is earning praise for his portrayal of Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger the actor's recent comments that his charcater had a "sensitive" side has been met with criticism by family members of the victims of Bulger.
The movie which premiered in Brooklyn recently at the Coolidge Corner Theater has angered relatives of the gangster's victims who claim the movie glorifies the gangster, according to The Boston Globe.
Many such family members of victims have told the publication that they will not be going to see the movie.
The "Pirates Of The Caribbean " star was quoted at the premiere saying Bulger had a "kind heart" as well as a cold one, adding that the character he portrayed had more than one side to him and more than just his brutality.
Speaking to the publication Bill St. Croix, whose sister, Deborah Hussey 26 was strangled to death by Bulger in 1985 said Depp's comments are "stupid and insensitive" and claimed the actor knew nothing about the "inhumane" Bulger. St. Croix was quoted as saying "I wonder how Johnny Depp would feel if his sister got strangled and buried in the basement with two other corpses?"
According to reports Hussey was lured to a house and strangled by Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi, who was Bulger's sidekick.
The film is based on the book by writers Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill who covered Bulger's saga. The book titled Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob was released in 2001.
For the "Mortdecai" actor the portrayal of Bulger has meant walking a tightrope of being accurate in his portrayal as well as being respectful to the victims of the infamous gangster, according to USA Today.
Depp told the publication as violent as his character was he was not one-dimensional as many have been led to believe. He said the gangster exhibited "incredible sensitivity when it came to family and friends." Depp added that he believes the portrayal of Bulger as being violent and brutal was an image created by the FBI.
In real -life Bulger was arrested only four years ago and is currently serving two life sentences plus five years at the age of 86.