The Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s.
The Truth
Let me get right to it. Michael Mann ruined the film by turning it into a love story, within the first 20 minutes, and the prick ran with it the rest of the way.
I never expected a love story, I never wanted to see one. I wanted to see a movie about John Dillinger, I could care less about his soft side, or his attachment to local whore Billie Frechette. I want to see action, vulgarity maybe really get to know the man, instead I walked away with nothing of the sort.
Depp was decent enough, so was Bale, but neither had much chemistry in this film that captured my attention. The same goes for Depp and Marion Cotillard (Billie Frechette) who really never seemed to capture the love they shared for each other.
The film moves along slowly, and rarely builds any drama. How Michael Mann made ‘Heat’ and ‘Public Enemies’ is beyond me, because he failed to deliver any of his signature movie qualities that I actually used to enjoy.
Instead we are slowly dragged along, interrupted with scene after scene of Dillinger and Frechette attempting to show us their love for each other. Note to Michael Mann, we get it. We got it after the 5th time they said it to each other. We got it after the 10th time Dillinger explained how she was his girl. WE GET IT!
Stop treating us like idiots, give us the darker side of the notorious John Dillinger, not his soft side.
The Action
Not much, Michael Mann managed to take a historical figure known for his actions, and squish all sense of attachment out of it.
What’s good about it?
We get to see Billie Frechette’s titties in the bathtub. Hey, its Leelee Sobieski in the final scene as an extra on the sidewalk!
What’s bad about it?
Typical Hollywood bullshit, where they take an excellent group of talent and turn it into a love story, rather than a Drama.
You’ll Like It If
If you needed to learn about the soft, sensitive side of John Dillinger.
What I learned
All the best actors in the world can’t save a shitty script.
The Verdict
Public Enemies was disappointing from start to finish, with little drama, excitement or memorable moments. You’ll rent it and fall asleep.
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Tags: Action 2009, Christian Bale, Crime 2009, Drama 2009, Johnny Depp, Movie Review, Novemeber 2009