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Metromix reviews Johnny Depp in Michael Mann's disappointing...
- Running time:
- 140 minutes
- Rated:
- R
- Cast:
- Johnny Depp -
- John Dillinger
- Christian Bale -
- Melvin Purvis
- Marion Cotillard -
- Billie Frechette
- Billy Crudup -
- J. Edgar Hoover
- Stephen Dorff -
- Homer Van Meter
(11 ratings)
By 1933 the Depression was in full swing, and bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) was something of a celebrity. (Note: The previous sentence sounds more fun if you read it in an old-timey radio voice.) The film begins with Dillinger's escape from prison in Michigan City, Ind., depicts his romance with Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard) and pursuit by FBI Agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), and leads up to Dillinger being gunned down outside Chicago's Biograph Theater in 1934.
The buzz: Expectations are high, and "Public Enemies" could score the rare hat trick of becoming a summer blockbuster, critical favorite and Oscar contender. In the meantime, is director/co-writer Michael Mann's latest crime drama closer to his extraordinary "Heat" or dull "Miami Vice"?
The verdict: Were so many details used on the production design that none were left over for the story? Sure, "Public Enemies" looks great, with Chicago (and parts of Indiana and Wisconsin) gloriously turned back to the '30s with razor-sharp precision. The script just isn't there. From Dillinger's background and supposed popularity—little is said, less is shown—to Purvis having clean-cut officers replaced with more qualified southern lawmen, everything feels underwritten, strangely edited and poorly explained. And despite very good performances from Depp and Cotillard, Dillinger's interest in Billie never translates from innocuous pick-up to true love.
Did you know? Dillinger demonstrates that if a public service announcement advises you that a wanted criminal could be sitting to your left or right, the guy that doesn't look is probably guilty. Watch out!
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What other people are saying...
okvals from Mt. Prospect - July 01, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Lame script? Why don't you go into your time machine back to the early thirties, befriend Dillinger and his gang and make a better script for us. Y...
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Report This CommentREDAWN from Wilton Manors - July 01, 2009 at 9:54 AM
I cannot wait to see this film and have been in love w/ Johnny Depp since A nightmare on Elm Street part one. I must see this film for myself. John...
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Report This Commentsaraht from Cobble Hill, Brooklyn - June 30, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I am surprised at how many reviewers are not into this movie, still going to check it out though. I love Stephen Graham who plays Baby Face Nelson.
Report This Commentrondapenrice from Grant Park - June 30, 2009 at 10:18 AM
I caught a screening of Public Enemies at AMC Parkway Pointe last night and, though the critics are slaughtering it and my brother thought it was o...
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Report This CommentCalGal from camarillo - June 30, 2009 at 2:20 AM
Hmm-a movie based on fact(but with some dramatic license of course)---shows a true scene where people in movie theaters were shown newsreels of Dil...
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