Movie: Public Enemies
Director: Michael Mann (Heat, Collateral)
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale

Story

Public Enemies is a window into two worlds during the “golden age” of bank robbery. On one side we see how John Dillinger, played by Johnny Depp, has a softer side to himself – such as a man who is in love. The second point of view is how desperate the Federal Government is to stop and catch Dillinger and the bank robbers of the time. The focus falls on Melvin Purvis, portrayed by Christian Bale, as the man who is willing to do anything in order to stop Dillinger and his fellow robbers.

While an interesting view into the two worlds, the story seemed to draw out and, at times, have a loss of focus. It didn’t seem as “tight” at it could have been. A few times, it felt as if the movie was dragging on. The story telling that haunted Mann with the Miami Vice movie seemed to semi-bleed into Public Enemies.

Points: 1/2

Sound

Well, my initial thoughts were “Come on, it’s Michael Mann!” but there is one problem with the sound design. It seemed that, at times, it was difficult to hear the actors. Maybe the problem was with the theater but the volume appeared to fluctuate. T

The gun scenes were AMAZING. Mann’s movie “Heat” set the bar for what gun battles in modern cinema should be like. The magic carried forward into Public Enemies. A number of times I was sitting there saying “Wow”

Points: 1.5/2

Acting

Depp captivates the audience. You believe you are actually watching Dillinger, and feeling his emotions – both positive and negative – as the movie unfolds. Bale does not have a chance to shine as he does not have an overwhelming amount of screen time. When he does, however; one gets the feeling that he is a conflicted law officer who begins to compromise his values in order to gain the ultimate goal of catching a criminal.

Another worthwhile performance is Billy Crudup as J. Edgar Hoover. Outstanding!

Points: 2/2

Cinematography

Again, my initial action was “It’s Mann!” but I do have two complaints. It seemed as if the free floating camera – the “in the scene” view – lead to a rather jerky viewing experience at times. And it also got old. The second complain, and I never thought I would say this, but the digital cameras and filming has lead to a viewing experience that is almost too real. Not to sound old fashion here but I like my movies to… well.. feel like movies and not as if I’m watching a play except on the big screen. I don’t need to see every detail, every pore, on the actors face. Nor do I need to see every bit of dust on the bank counter.

To take the other side of the argument, there were to small but cool shots that did stand out to me. The first is during a night scene when agents are chasing Dillinger through a forest. The fog coming off of the hillside looked so.. vivid, so “alive” it was amazing. The second was watching the last breath come out of a man who just died. Very unique, very visual and helped bring home the point that he died.

Points: 1.25/2

Personal Enjoyment

The movie felt long and wondering at points but when it was on it amazing. While I wouldn’t say that it is a movie masterpiece, it did push the limits in terms of visual recreation of the period and trying new techniques in story telling. I enjoyed but wasn’t blown over.

Points: 1.5/2

Total Points: 7.25/10