Public Enemies

[Highly rated reviewer]

terrible

This film never grabbed me from the first. I was waiting for something to happen, but everything was merely superficial. There was no real decent plot to follow, no change or interest in the characters, and the direction was useless and pointless.

I found the 30s theme interesting, and think they went to great length to bring the audience a 'realistic' feel of the 1930s, and of the depression; also, the style of direction initially caught my eye - however these, let's say, stylistic monouvres became the only thing of interest, and I continued to wonder - where is this film going?

However, it didn't go anywhere, and is another terrible indictment on the recent films coming out of hollywood. Do not rent this film if you are looking for a decent story, If you liked the untouchables, you might find this film interesting.

Terrible, what a waste.

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The 1930s Gangster just came back into fashion...

I went to this movie expecting it to be great, mainly because it's packed with great acting talent - Bale, Depp, Cotillard - and Public Enemies does not disappoint. Depp's subtle performance gets under the skin of Dillinger and brings to life a three-dimensional character - which isn't usually what one gets from an action flick.

What I hadn't expected was that it would be beautiful. Every shot, every camera angle has obviously been carefully considered and 'loved'. From the lingering close-ups of the main characters which highlight the humanity of the characters bring a real intimacy to the piece - we know John Dillinger because we get close to him. My favourite shot is when the gang are driving through the sunset after a job - Mann filmed the reflection of passing trees on the old Ford giving a real ethereal air to the piece and emphasising Dillinger's sense of untouchability. We understand why he lives in the moment - everything is beautiful. The use of documentary style hand-held cameras envelopes us in the action and gives a very real sense of pace, balancing with the intimate, lingering close-ups to give a film that is evenly paced and is never boring.

There is a lot of gun-toting and a fair amount and if you can't stand the sight of blood, don't go (or at least take a cushion), but none of the violence is gratuitous and shows that the early FBI really were pioneering and writing the rule book and drawing their own personal lines as they went. A really great movie.

[Highly rated reviewer]

shock

All I can say is I was very disappointment at this movie,

Both the lead's are great actors and a host of very good supporting actors which seemed to be hidden away through out most of the movie,

I found myself wondering how could this movie fail,

You find yourself thinking, don't worry, it will get better, the and then you realise that's two hours of your life, gone, gone forever, be warned.

The acting and the scriped seemed very forced with actors that everyone knows are far better, I like all the actors in this movie and have liked most of the movies, yet i have found myself disapointed,

come on the remake.

A 1930's Robin Hoood!

I can totally understand the fascination people had and have with the likes of Dillinger, Bonny and Clyde etc...Simply because the course of action these people decided to take (despite being doomed from the start to end in inevitable tragedy) against the law epitomises a part in all (if not most) of us that wishes we could be reckless enough to do the same: just act without worrying of consequences. Right and wrong seems to be of no consequence when watching Dillinger in action, you actually start to like him, because he is so confident and amazingly charismatic. Of course it is understood that if the Government did not put stop to outlaws like Dillinger that more of his type would keep popping up and the situation would get out of control. Plus with the added issue that Dillinger's escapes and actions were starting to make the FBI a laughing stock! Johnny Depp was definitely the right choice for Dillinger, however I wouldn't have chosen Bale to play Purvis, he just didn't fit the character too well. I liked this movie as a reminder for the true story behind the movie. Don't get me wrong:the movie was exciting (except for a few badly shot, amateurish camera action scenes) but the thought that it was based on a true story was alot better. Having seen photos of the real people and read their backgrounds sets a person's mind racing to imagine how so much more intense and gripping their lives must have been living in the 30's as bank robbers.(considering the historical backdrop of what was happening in the US at that time). Movies are always glammed up with pretty looking actors and scenes modified to create a specific effect: but real life is messy, and plays out so much more interesting than what Hollywood could ever deliver as a retelling of a fantastic series of events in the life of J.H. Dillinger: Public Enemy Number One! It's just a shame that a camera didn't follow the real Dillinger around when he was living: now THAT would have been a movie worth seeing!

Disappointing

I expected to be blown away by this movie but I was never gripped and found myself thinking of other things, {never a good sign, especially in the cinema!}.

The performances are good as one would expect with such a cast but despite this I never really engaged with the characters and found the movie pretty slow moving and thusly hard going.

I wish I'd saved my money and waited for a dvd release.

Could do better as my school reports used to say!

Misleading trailer but excellent film

I made the mistake of seeing this film expecting an old school action film, this was due to the trailer suggersting it is this.

the film is a lot more a story about dillinger.

if you are going wanting to see an action flick you will be disappointed, but if you appreciate brilliant acting and drama this film is excellent.

Film moves along similar to walk the line (johnny cash biopic) segmenting different parts of dillinger's life,

found it interesting and compelling.

[Highly rated reviewer]

It's Michael Mann....

Look, any Michael Mann film is an event and this is no exception. Its a wonderful narrative and an intellectual film for adults. Great action setpieces and very stylishly presented.

I am not convinced that the digital filming technology was right for this period set film, but it will keep you watching.

The only real flaw for me is Mann's obsession with the good guy/bad guy theme, such as they are mirrors of one another, as in Heat, manhunter, Collateral etc. Here it seems hackneyed, and Bale just doesn't impress me. Depp carries the film and Cottilard is woefully underused.

But, this is still a top movie, see it at all costs.

Awful

No real plot, just lots of shooting. They could

have done more with the love story.

The 'Mann' is back

Michael Mann back at his best, it may not be action packed but then its not suppose to be. If you appreciate great acting with the coolness of Mann's directing makes this a great film to watch.

Beware though if your after cheap thrills and explosions then stay away.

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Premier Screening of Public Enemies

To say I was thrilled at getting tickets to the UK premier of Public Enemies in London Leicester Square would be an understatement. I have been looking forward to this film for some time, what can I say I have always found the American gangsters of the 1920s and 30s fascinating.

At the start I knew this wasn’t going to end well, if you don’t know the stories of John Dillinger, Baby face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd...well you can guess. Knowing a little about the history of the characters it was good to see that a lot of the real life facts were left in - some of the timeline was fudged about as can be expected with Hollywood (Baby face and Floyd actually died months after Dillinger) and a little over romanticised (mostly thanks to the charm of Mr Depp)

The film is wonderfully directed by Michael Mann, the scenes are gritty rather than glossy seeming to prefer close and medium shots keeping you in the thick of the action.

Johnny Depp is as charming and caviller as Dillinger was reported to be, keeping in the tell tale leap over the counter during robberies and the charisma he had with the public and press (all allegedly true). This is juxtaposed by the quiet and frustrated Melvin Purvis was a great piece of acting from Christian Bale. I must say it was great to see the lack of irritating gruff voice that he used for John Conner in Terminator Salvation and Bruce Wayne in the Batman films, actually making me remember why I enjoy his performances.

The one confrontation by Dillinger and Purvis is entirely fictional but adds intensity to the film. There is a blurring of the lines the honourable criminal and the FBI using more violent and brutal tactics to apprehend the criminals - we see why the public embraced the so called ' bad guys' as heroes and we believe it. I do have to mention the excellent performance By British Actor Stephen Graham (who I met at the premier) doing an excellent rendition of Nelson's psychotic behaviour and quick temper. His American accent was very convincing especially when his is Broad Liverpudlian!

The fight scenes are brutal; you feel every impact of the guns. The final scene holds the biggest impact, the assassination/ 'attempted apprehension' is beautifully shot in slow motion. Even if you know how the film ends you don’t quite expect it and it hits hard. A scene closely followed by Billie Frechette's interrogation - a superb piece of acting by Marion Cotillard - is as shocking as it is brutal (containing the famous phone book technique). I will definitely remember the amazing scene where Dillinger (Depp) is watching Clark Gable with a look of awe - you can see that’s what Dillinger wanted to be.

This film is a must see, excellently acted and well put together - I could have sat for longer as it didn’t feel its 2 hrs 20. Go see it because I will be going again!