Public Enemies
July 26, 2009 04:07 PM
Directed by Michael Mann
Full Cast/Crew/Production Info
Okay, to kick off my fabulous Movie Review section I’m going to christen my site by reviewing Michael Mann’s latest cinematic endeavor “Public Enemies.” It concerns the exploits of the late, great criminal John Dillinger, whose bank robberies and public popularity was at its zenith in 1933-1934.
I’m a big Michael Mann fan. He always makes solid, interesting, well executed films. “The Insider” is an awesome flick. If you haven’t seen it go out and rent it... Right now! Wait... Do a set of 20 crunches and 2 sets of push ups first.
However, “Public Enemies” didn’t quite do it for me. It’s definitely a solid flick. I mean, it’s great to look at. The cinematography by Dante Spinotti is brilliant. Great costume and production design. Mann’s team captured the 1930’s Depression with admirable aplomb. And, needless to say, Johnny Depp is beautiful to look at for 2 hours and 23 minutes…..
WHAT?! The movie is over 2 hours long?! Uh….yeah!
Sometimes you run across a longer film that you never want to end. It could go on for another 2 hours and you’d still be completely absorbed and on the edge of your seat (Warren Beatty’s REDS, which clocks in at close to 4 hours is my favorite film of all time). Unfortunately, this is not one of those films.
The performances were all stellar. Especially Marion Cotillard as Billie Frechette, Dillinger’s main squeeze. I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for the Romance. She has a wonderful appealing quality as an actress. She’s naturally beautiful and not Hollywood Anorexic (from here on in to be referred to as HA!) She and Johnny Depp had amazing chemistry. And Ms. Cotillard came off as a lovely, believable, down on her luck coat check girl fighting to keep from falling in love with a charming Bank Robber whose days are clearly numbered.
Christian Bale was steady as a rock in his portrayal of Melvin Purvis, the FBI guy who brought Dillinger down. For the record, I used to have a big thing for Christian Bale. I mean…LOOK AT HIM. He’s totally hot. However. I’m still grappling with the Viral Rant he unleashed on some poor assistant on the set of “Terminator.” I’ll admit that it has tainted my view of him. And this makes me sad….
Johnny Depp, on the other hand, does NOT make me sad. He makes me all warm and squishy. He looks great. He delivers an intelligent, moving performance with humor and stylish panache. Johnny Depp is, simply…it. The man can do no wrong on the Silver Screen as far as I’m concerned.
So, with all these things going for it, why didn’t I love this movie? It didn’t know what it was, that’s why. It would, in turns, go from being a hard boiled crime drama with lots of cool shoot outs and car chases in period automobiles, to a lush, sepia toned romance, to a by the numbers bio-pic and then, finally, a didactic history of the evolution of the FBI. Complete with Billy Crudup obliquely weaving through the story as a young, ambitious, subtly gay J. Edgar Hoover. Billy Crudup is another crush of mine. He’s always good and always good looking, even when playing a heel like Hoover.
Ultimately, “Public Enemies” is an okay film with some strong moments, but, it failed to draw me in primarily because it didn’t seem to know what kind of a film it needed to be.
It also gave me Numb Bum. Never a good thing for Fitness Instructor to have.
On a scale of 1-10 Squats, I give it a 7.
If you’d like more information about the real John Dillinger, check out this website!
In the meantime, keep those endorphins pumping, kids and don’t be afraid to eat the popcorn!
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WHAT?! The movie is over 2 hours long?! Uh….yeah!
Sometimes you run across a longer film that you never want to end. It could go on for another 2 hours and you’d still be completely absorbed and on the edge of your seat (Warren Beatty’s REDS, which clocks in at close to 4 hours is my favorite film of all time). Unfortunately, this is not one of those films.
The performances were all stellar. Especially Marion Cotillard as Billie Frechette, Dillinger’s main squeeze. I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for the Romance. She has a wonderful appealing quality as an actress. She’s naturally beautiful and not Hollywood Anorexic (from here on in to be referred to as HA!) She and Johnny Depp had amazing chemistry. And Ms. Cotillard came off as a lovely, believable, down on her luck coat check girl fighting to keep from falling in love with a charming Bank Robber whose days are clearly numbered.
Christian Bale was steady as a rock in his portrayal of Melvin Purvis, the FBI guy who brought Dillinger down. For the record, I used to have a big thing for Christian Bale. I mean…LOOK AT HIM. He’s totally hot. However. I’m still grappling with the Viral Rant he unleashed on some poor assistant on the set of “Terminator.” I’ll admit that it has tainted my view of him. And this makes me sad….
Johnny Depp, on the other hand, does NOT make me sad. He makes me all warm and squishy. He looks great. He delivers an intelligent, moving performance with humor and stylish panache. Johnny Depp is, simply…it. The man can do no wrong on the Silver Screen as far as I’m concerned.
So, with all these things going for it, why didn’t I love this movie? It didn’t know what it was, that’s why. It would, in turns, go from being a hard boiled crime drama with lots of cool shoot outs and car chases in period automobiles, to a lush, sepia toned romance, to a by the numbers bio-pic and then, finally, a didactic history of the evolution of the FBI. Complete with Billy Crudup obliquely weaving through the story as a young, ambitious, subtly gay J. Edgar Hoover. Billy Crudup is another crush of mine. He’s always good and always good looking, even when playing a heel like Hoover.
Ultimately, “Public Enemies” is an okay film with some strong moments, but, it failed to draw me in primarily because it didn’t seem to know what kind of a film it needed to be.
It also gave me Numb Bum. Never a good thing for Fitness Instructor to have.
On a scale of 1-10 Squats, I give it a 7.
If you’d like more information about the real John Dillinger, check out this website!
In the meantime, keep those endorphins pumping, kids and don’t be afraid to eat the popcorn!
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