MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

Public Enemies Rated R

Directed by Michael Mann.  Starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale.

Photo ©Universal Studios
Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

I never want to turn into one of those older filmgoers who drone on and on about how “they sure don’t make movies like they used to”, but after watching Public Enemies, I did wonder a bit about what director/co-director Michael Mann was attempting to do, since this film seems inferior in every way to his 1995 crime classic Heat. 

The “look” of the film is spot-on, with terrific production design and location shooting (and they literally shoot in these locations, too!).  But there is no back-story in this story about John Dillinger (Depp), “Baby Face” Nelson (Stephen Graham) and the other gangsters that inspired J. Edgar Hoover’s (Billy Crudup) creation of the FBI. 

We learn nothing about Dillinger’s childhood or family or even why he chooses to rob banks.  Christian Bale plays Melvin Purvis, the agent that goes after Dillinger, and French actress Marion Cotillard takes on a convincing American accent to portray Billie Frechette, the hat check girl who becomes Dillinger’s girlfriend.  Rather than using film, Mann’s cinematographer shot this feature in high-definition video. 

While this format produces some stunning effects (such as more vivid nighttime details, especially during a prolonged midnight Wisconsin shootout), too many scenes rely on handheld swoops and pans.  And, while there are some scenes with memorable dialogue that evoke the great gangster pictures of the 30s, this is not a particularly stylish film. 

Johnny Depp is terrific as usual (as is Billy Crudup as Hoover), but this time in history deserves a better film. That film is 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde.

Take time to revisit this classic and be amazed at how much more is said about The Great Depression, the gangster’s cult of personality, and filmmaking itself.  Both Public Enemies and Bonnie and Clyde present the immorality of crime, but Bonnie and Clyde still has the power to shock and stay with you days after viewing.  They sure don’t make ‘em like…. Oops.  Sorry!

Pitchfork Rating:
One halo (A mildly entertaining gangster film, helped greatly by Johnny Depp’s depiction of John Dillinger.) Two pitchforks (Bank robbing, general mayhem, and some swearing.]

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