Public Enemies Review

Premise:
It's the era of depression in this biopic, which means financial hard times for all. That is of course you rob banks like incredibly talented and suave John Dillinger (Johnny Depp). To Dillinger's dismay, J. Edgar Hoover has created the FBI and appointed Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) as a stoic southern hunter. It's cat and mouse from start to finish!


Standouts:
The story is good, the action great, the acting superb. But there's some choppiness and camera work that when watching, completely tore me away from the screen and reminded me I'm watching a movie. Typically when you watch a film there's a certain amount of cuts so everything flows together fluidly. In one particular court house scene, everyone rises, as does the camera man who can't help but shake Blair Witch style. I like Blair Witch style just fine, but I shouldn't be aware when watching this movie that there even is a camera man! Sadly this wasn't the only example either.

The story, while it was real to the events that happened it was far too thinly stretched. It was like the researchers for this film had to many facts on the story and felt they couldn't cut a single detail, which came at the expense of describing what was going on. I felt as though I learned names and faces and actions of people who had little overall importance to Dillinger's story. And while Christian Bale's acting was fine, his character was dull as stone. Learning what becomes of him at the epilogue comes completely out of nowhere, as there was very, VERY little to hint at it.


My Highlights:
John Dillinger in the police station, and when he's at a restaurant with
his main gal, Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard). He's got arrogance and grace in these scenes that would make Tony Montana in Scarface blush.


Overall Rating:
How someone could give me over two hours of story full of characters and have me only understanding one of them befuddles me. This was entertaining and had plenty of fun moments, but I can only wrap it up as a good brainless action movie. Unfortunately it had plenty of promise to be better. 3 1/4 *'s out of 5, or 6 1/2 out of 10. If you want a mobster movie, see Scarface, The Godfather, or Goodfellas. If you want a good cat and mouse chase movie, see No Country For Old Men.


When You Should See It:
Give it a rent if queue is getting slim on must-see's. It's a good way to pass the time but not anything dire. As for purchasing this film, I'd wait until the price comes down to around $10.