Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Michael Mann Masterpiece, July 3, 2009
"Public Enemies" proves that Michael Mann is right up there with Martin Scorsese at directing compelling crime dramas. This film, based on a book detailing the nexus of John Dillinger, J. Edgar Hoover, and Melvin Purvis, covers the last year and a half in the life of the famed bank robber, who was branded "Public Enemy Number 1" by Hoover, who was building what would become the FBI. Chasing Dillinger for Hoover was Purvis, who relentlessly pursued Dillinger until the fateful night outside the Biography Theater in Chicago.
Johnny Depp plays Dillinger as a fun-loving but dangerous criminal whose only plan seems to be to live life on the edge until he falls off. As usual, his performance is engaging and utterly believable. Billy Crudup wonderfully plays Hoover as a man obsessed with growing the Bureau, obsessed with public relations, and obsessed with capturing John Dilliger, and Christian Bale plays Purvis as an intelligent, capable, and caught in the difficult position of trying to catch Dillinger while at the same time pleasing a demanding, overbearing publicity seeker.
The film features great supporting performances from Marion Cotillard as Dillinger's girlfriend, Billie Frechette, and Stephen Lang as a veteran Bureau agent assigned to hunt Dillinger.
This is film has plenty of action and thrills, but also possesses great acting, intelligent writing, and masterful directing by Mann. Public Enemies is one the best films to come out in the summer of '09.
|
|
|
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"What keeps you up at night, Mr. Dillinger?" "Coffee.", July 1, 2009
"Public Enemies", helmed by famed director Michael Mann, is a thriller of the most testosterone fueled variety. It's a fast paced actioner brimming at the seams with intense shootouts and a well-stocked cast of steely-eyed, square-jawed men harboring classic narcissistic complexes. Johnny Depp makes a suave, calculating Dillinger. It's more of a manufactured character than an interpretation of the real life Dillinger, but this is of little consequence because Depp achieves grand theatrics with his sullen glare and devil-may-care attitude. He plays it much as I imagine Steve McQueen would've in his heyday, plowing through his world with a sort of darkly cool, apathetic demeanor that suggests he doesn't care one way or the other about anything.
The supporting characters are superlative as well, particularly Stephen Dorff as Homer Van Meter. There's an intensity to his character that Dorff really brings out. In fact, I didn't even recognize him at first (interestingly, he looked very similar to actor Tim DeKay). Jason Clarke, who portrays John "Red" Hamilton, is an actor primarily known for his television work. I surmise he was chosen for his striking resemblance to the real life criminal; just compare his photograph to the infamous mug of Hamilton. He's probably the most featured gangster, other than Dillinger, being that Hamilton is portrayed as his right hand man. Of course, Christian Bale turns in an able performance as respected G-Man Melvin Purvis - donning yet another one of his famed accents for the role.
The film begins in media res with an exciting jailbreak, something which I greatly enjoyed. I was happy the film didn't waste time trying to explain Dillinger's childhood and upbringing. There is no hollow attempt to apply reason to his actions or place blame for his anti-social behavior. In the end it doesn't matter what led him to a life of crime, particularly since over the years the man has transformed from a folk hero into a veritable legend. It's obvious Mann's vision was ambitious. He attempted to pack all the nuances and complexities of Dillinger's world into only two hours and because of this the end product is a bit too busy. I get the feeling that a bit of streamlining the script might not have been an awful idea. That aside, it's clear that Mann knew what audiences wanted to see is a rip-roarin' take on the robberies, shootouts, and defiance of the law that filled the bulk of Dillinger's life right on up until the bitter end. This film performs those functions in spades!
The major lacking feature of the film is that characterization takes a backseat to the action. This is, perhaps, inevitable considering the large ensemble cast and the fact that nearly every character is based on a very real, very famous person. Often many seemingly interesting characters never quite gel with the audience because their screentime is so brief. One such character is Gilbert Catena, portrayed by Domenick Lombardozzi (probably best known for his role on HBO's The Wire). Still, those aspects aside, every performance here is stellar. Just glance at the supporting cast which includes: David Wenham, Marion Cotillard, Giovanni Ribisi, and Billy Crudup, among others. It's my fervent hope that upon its release to home video there's an extended cut of the film because I would love to see more of these characters (especially Pretty Boy Floyd, since he is only in the film for a scant couple of minutes).
I've noticed many critics mention that the film unnecessarily milks the climax of the film, which is obviously Dillinger's execution outside of the Biograph Theatre. I didn't mind this so much because it's such an iconic event of the Public Enemy era, and more than that, the film portrays Dillinger's death with precise detail and follows what we know of the actual event to the letter. The scene features numerous clips of the film Dillinger watched: Manhattan Melodrama, the gangster vehicle starring Clark Gable.
The film surmises, with good reason, that Dillinger probably identified with Gable's character. It illustrates this by showing one of the haunting final scenes, when William Powell offers to have his death sentence commuted, Gable replies with "You think you're doing me a favor by keeping my locked up in this joint for the rest of my life? I don't want it. If I can't live the way I want, then at least let me die the way I want." Dillinger's face expressed great understanding, perhaps even compassion, with this statement. It's a great cinematic moment, especially since the audience is very well aware of what is about to transpire in his own life.
I give bonus points to the production crew for so aptly depicting mid-west America during the Depression. Many real-life buildings were redressed to look as they did during the time and their efforts greatly enhance the atmosphere. Then there are the detailed setpieces (one of my favorites, though it's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it one, is Gilbert's shop), the hairstyles and slick suits, the classic cars - they hit all the notes correctly. There's even some archaic slang film fans will remember from gangster films made in the thirties, such the calling of prison guards "screws".
The robbery scenes, being the lynchpin of any Dillinger yarn, are somewhat brief but accurately portray Dillinger's tactics and methods. Also, concerning actual history, this film does take liberties with what really occurred (like any film does). Perhaps the most egregious liberties are taken concerning the demises of the various gangsters. For instance, Pretty Boy Floyd is depicted as being killed months prior to Dillinger's death (Dillinger even references his demise to Pervis), when in fact he died months afterward. Also, Homer Van Meter survived Dillinger, only to be killed a month later. These aspects are often a necessary evil, because a filmmaker must strike a balance between reality and entertainment - and the two do not always intersect seamlessly. If you want a version that follows the facts exclusively - buy the book.
In summation, "Public Enemies" may not be remembered as a classic action film, but it will be remembered as a classic gangster film. The most gratifying aspect is that, unusual for most action films, all the actors turn in very memorable performances. Some critics and the press have commented on how Bale is absent from nearly all the trailers and promotional materials for this film, but when you watch it, the reason is quite understandable. This is unquestionably Depp's film, and though I concede to not having a particular predilection for him, his role here is not to be missed. This is well worth the price of admission!
|
|
|
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Public Enemies" is excellent!, July 4, 2009
"Public Enemies" is excellent! This is how the story goes: No one could stop John Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone -- from his girlfriend Billie Frechette to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. But while the adventures of Dillinger's gang -- later including Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Karpis -- thrilled many, J. Edgar Hoover made Dillinger America's first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Melvin Purvis, the dashing "Clark Gable of the FBI." However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis' men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) and orchestrating epic betrayals -- from the infamous "Lady in Red" to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti -- were Purvis, the FBI and their new crew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.
The cast led by Johnny Depp (in an Oscar-caliber performance as John Dillinger), Christian Bale (as Melvin Purvis), & Marion Cotillard (as Billie Frechette) is excellent! The directing by Michael Mann (also co-wrote the screenplay and produced) (who also directed "Heat" (1995, also produced and wrote the story and screenplay), "Collateral" (2004, also produced), "Miami Vice" (2006, also produced and wrote the story and screenplay), "Manhunter" (1986, also wrote the screenplay), "Ali" (2001, also wrote the screenplay and produced), "The Insider" (1999, also wrote the story and screenplay and produced) & "The Last Of The Mohicans" (1992, also wrote the screenplay and produced) is excellent! The screenplay (based on the book by Bryan Burrough) by Mann, Ronan Bennett, & Ann Biderman (who also wrote the screenplay to "Primal Fear" (1996), "Copycat" (1995, also wrote the story), & "Smilla's Sense Of Snow" (1997) is excellent!
The music by Elliot Goldenthal (who also did the music to "Heat" & recently, to, "Across The Universe" (2007) is excellent! The cinematography by Dante Spinotti (who also did the cinematography to "Manhunter", "The Insider", "Heat", & "The Last Of The Mohicans", he also did the cinematography to the upcoming "The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader" (2010) is excellent! The film editing by Jeffrey Ford (who also did the film editing to "Breach" (2007) & "Street Kings" (2008) & Paul Rubell (who also did the film editing to "Collateral", "The Insider", & "Miami Vice", he also did the film editing to "Transformers" (2007) and its sequel, "Revenge Of The Fallen" (2009) is excellent! The casting by Avy Kaufman (who also did the casting to the upcoming "25/8" (2009), "Brothers" (2009), & "Amelia" (2009) & Bonnie Timmermann (who also did the casting to "The Insider", "Heat", "The Last Of The Mohicans", & "Manhunter") is excellent! The production design by Nathan Crowley (who also did the production design to "The Dark Knight" (2008, which also starred Bale and was directed by Christopher Nolan), "Batman Begins" (2005, which also starred Bale and was directed by Nolan), "Insomnia" (2002, also directed by Nolan) & "The Prestige" (2006, also starred Bale and directed by Nolan) is excellent! The art direction by Patrick Lumb (who did the production design to "Flight Of The Phoenix" (2004, which was directed by John Moore), "The Omen" (2006, which was also directed by Moore), "Valkyrie" (2008) & the upcoming remake to "A Nightmare On Elm Street" (2010, which, ironically, its original, was Depp's film debut) & William Ladd Skinner (who also did the art direction to "Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (2006, which also starred Depp) & "Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End" (2007, which also starred Depp) is excellent! The set decoration by Rosemary Brandenburg (who also did the set decoration to "Transformers" & the upcoming "The Rum Diary" (2010, which is also starring Depp) is excellent! The costume design by Colleen Atwood (who also did the costume design to "Manhunter", she also did the costume design to the upcoming "The Rum Diary" & "Alice In Wonderland" (2010, which also stars Depp) is excellent!
This is an excellent film that is one of Mann's best in a while; it is up there with "Heat" & "Collateral". This is one of the best films of the year, so far, by far. Johnny Depp is at the peak of his ability with this performance.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
![Terminator Salvation (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EJM15OikL._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
DVD ~ Brad Pitt
DVD ~ Norman Anstey
DVD ~ Bradley Cooper
![Terminator Salvation (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EJM15OikL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Christian Bale
DVD ~ Tom Hanks
on 
