Movie Review – Michael Mann's Public Enemies
Johnny Depp Stars as Legendary Criminal John Dillinger
Jul 6, 2009
“I like baseball, movies, good clothes, fast cars — and you,” says Johnny Depp’s John Dillinger to Marion Cotillard’s Billie Frechette in Public Enemies. “What else you need to know?” Apparently, the makers of this Dillinger biopic think the audience needs to know quite a bit more, presenting a nearly three-hour long film packed with too many plotlines.
In addition to chronicling Dillinger’s whirlwind courtship of Frechette and his life of crime, the film also follows Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), the FBI agent who struggles to capture Dillinger while facing pressure from J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup). As if that’s not enough, the movie also throws in a rather pointless mafia subplot that doesn’t add much except extra running time.
Michael Mann Shakes Things Up
Since this is a gangster movie, it also features plenty of chase scenes, bank robberies and shootouts. Although these scenes provide infusions of excitement and suspense, the quick cuts and choppy camerawork of director Michael Mann can leave the viewer feeling disoriented. Since the multitude of criminals and FBI agents don’t have much time to distinguish themselves amid competing stories, it can be difficult to keep track of everyone, especially during the more chaotic scenes.
Depp as Dillinger
Of course, audiences will have no trouble keeping track of the film’s main character. Johnny Depp truly inhabits every role he plays, and John Dillinger is no exception. As his character evades the law and lives the good life, Depp exudes extraordinary levels of confidence and charm, and his mischievous grin is contagious. Dillinger has fun doing what he does, and the audience has fun watching him do it.
However, as Purvis gets closer and closer to tracking Dillinger down, Depp also presents a moving portrait of a man who is slowly losing control of his life. Although Purvis proves to be a worthy adversary for Dillinger, Bale’s performance does not match up to Depp’s — or to some of Bale’s previous work.
Bale Falls Behind
Purvis is supposed to be a conflicted man. He stands by while one suspect is tortured for information but gallantly comes to the rescue of another. He plans careful operations but blows his adversaries away as soon as he has a chance. Through it all, Bale remains on the same stoic level, offering no insight into the inner workings of the character. As result, Purvis is more confusing than conflicted.
Several of Bale’s co-stars manage to outshine him. Cotillard gives a lovely, subtle performance that reminds audiences why she is an Oscar winner, and Stephen Graham’s Baby Face Nelson tears up the screen with unbridled insanity. The most impressive supporting player, however, is Crudup, who throws himself completely into the role of the blustery J. Edgar Hoover. Unfortunately, the acting talent in Public Enemies would have been better showcased in a more focused, streamlined film.
