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Depp as Dillinger; Universal Pictures
Michael Mann’s Public Enemies is a mixed bag. Tossed into the 140-minute feedbag by one of America’s greatest living directors and visual artists is a bit of great (Depp), a smattering of not-so-great (Bale, HD photography, screenplay) and a lot of so-so (everything else).
Depp stands alone as the pic’s high-point and shows once again that he truly can play anybody, anytime and make it look like the easiest thing in the world. For my money he is one half of his generation’s De Niro/Pacino, and his performance here evokes memories of Mann’s career apex, Heat. And it is because of that simile, it is all-too apparent that he lacks a counterpoint of any note in Christian Bale. Bale, in the role of the lead FBI agent hot on Dillinger’s tale, is playing a severe case of second banana: his role is written flat and he aptly delivers on that. This is yet another of his one-note and expressionless second-lead turns in a big-budget picture.
The screenplay itself, authentic to the facts and to the period, runs long and does nothing to deserve that length. Public Enemy would have been a more apt title for we are shown nothing but barely shaded figures for anyone but Dillinger. The character of Dillinger himself is underwritten and much of what we learn is written in pained visuals on Depp’s face, and his eyes.
But it is Mann’s decision to shoot HD that is the most perplexing and damaging to the look and the feel of the picture. Since Collateral Mann has been a fervent supporter and impassioned defender of the emergent technology, but in Public Enemies we are met with a harsh and unfinished look that immediately clashes with the texture of the period. Too many times, when shooting in low-light conditions, capability catches up with the HD cameras and we are left looking into a blue hue and crashing pixilation cum grain.
For visual artists on the level of Mann and cinematographer Dante Spinotti, the look is perplexing, but apparently intended.
As is customary with Mann, there is action followed by downtime. Wash, rinse, repeat. The problem with Public Enemies isn’t the action - which is executed with a technician’s panache - but rather the downtime, in which there are too many characters with too much to say, but nothing to emote.
Rating: *** / *****
Comments
It is perplexing to me that Public Enemies keeps receiving three out of five stars. Several reviews I have seen have rated this picture three stars. Were we watching the same film? This movie was an absolute disaster and the entire blame falls on the director Michael Mann and the editors. Public Enemies goes from steady picture to what looks like someone using a camcorder in their back yard. It reminded me of "The Blair Witch Project" at times with all the camera movement. Johnny Depp and Christian Bale do the best they can with what they have to work with. Dillinger is rather unexciting except for the scenes with girlfriend Billy as played by Marion Cotillard. Bale's Pervus comes across as a man that does what he's told without question, that blind loyalty to God and country or in this case J.Edgar Hoover. I felt that you were never really able to make an emotional connection to the characters and the camera work is distracting. Mann's film is boring and unexciting. */*****.
Why is it that to get kudos as a great actor you have to be loud, crazy or overly emotional. Depp did a good job playing the smirky lead but I got tired of it very quickly because he kept doing it through out the movie. Bale gave a great performance with many different layers. His character was tormented by what he was being asked to do and he portrayed that without having to be over the top to show you his point of view. I like his solidity. Bale is not a one note actor maybe you should go back and watch all his movies and see he is just as versatile as Depp. Depp showed a great range and didn't take it too far with the charming bad guy routine I just wish he hadn't been so cocky so much of the time. But over all its a great movie.
Great cinema. Honestly, I have no idea what the above individuals are talking about, and wonder if they saw the same movie. Outstanding score, production design, casting, screenplay and performance throughout. Easily the best flick I have seen in this lousy year at the movies.
I totally disagree with everything the reviewer claims with one exception. Depp is a great artist. Watch it on a big screen, you'll see the nuanced performance Ball gives, his facial expressions. He's a G-man. You can see him thinking. The score and cinematography are surreal.
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