Movie Review-Public Enemies

It's a known fact that Johnny Depp is the most versatile actor in Hollywood, and Christian Bale may be creeping up behind him, far behind, but creeping nonetheless. That's what made me so excited to see this movie initially. But what drives this film isn't just the acting performances, it's a great plot told with an equal balance of action and storytelling.

Plot:
The story of infamous 1930s gangster and bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) and the government's, led by Agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), attempts to catch him.

PROS:
A natural pro automatically is Johnny Depp. Depp's Dillinger combines all the things we like about him. Dillinger is charming, smooth, and likable.

I think the writing itself is strong. The dialogue had to be realistic towards the 30s, but the writers did a good job of not making it corny and cliche'.

The end of John Dillinger's story is actually kinda anti-climactic. But Mann crafts the scene with the right amount of realism, while making it incredibly tense.

And lastly, A LEELEE SOBIESKI SIGHTING!!!! Blast from the past.

CONS:
As much as i like Michael Mann's directing, I didn't like the times when he turned to guerrilla filmaking. I like the rocky feel, always have, but it just ended up being a distraction in this one. Though it gave the shootout in Little Bohemia a realistic feel, it took away from scenes that were dialogue-driven. Steady to rocky doesn't always work.

Recommendation:
Rent it.

Main Cast:
Johnny Depp ("Donnie Brasco", "Sweeney Todd")
Christian Bale ("Dark Knight", "Terminator Salvation")
Marion Cotillard ("Big Fish", "Nine")
Giovanni Ribisi ("Saving Private Ryan", "That thing You Do")
Billy Crudup ("Big Fish", "Watchmen")
Stephen Dorff ("Cold Creek Manor", "World Trade Center")
Stephen Graham ("Snatch", "Gangs of New York")
Stephen Lang ("Avatar", "The Men Who Stare at Goats")
LeeLee Sobieski ("Never Been Kissed", "Deep Impact")
Shawn Hatosy ("In and Out", "Alpha Dog")
Channing Tatum ("Fighting", "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra")

Similar Titles:
Heat, Bonnie and Clyde, American Gangster

Next Review:
Carriers- Trailer