Public Enemies

Public Enemies
Starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Coltillard, and Billy Crudup

Michael Mann has had some hits in his time, and some near misses. With its lush images, close-ups that inject the audience into a character, and a few beautiful moments of film-making, "Public Enemies" would be one of his hits. However, the film also includes way to many characters to keep track of even for 143 minutes, a camera that needs a bit of stability from time to time, and actors that aren't so Batman-like.

According to IMDb, there are about 100 named character in "Public Enemies." Besides the cast above, Mann includes Giovanni Ribisi, Channing Tatum, LeeLee Sobieski, Stephen Dorff, Emilie de Ravin, and Lili Taylor, who are all very recognizable faces if not names. This causes a problem. If the film wants to focus on Depp and Bale with a bunch of scenes including Coltillard and Crudup, that's fine, but throwing in other known actors into the mix creates some confusion, especially when some of them barely have a line. It was as if the film wanted to justify itself as a pre-game for Awards season or something.

Johnny Depp was really the only great aspect of "Public Enemies." He drew us in, creating a humanistic side to his villain, John Dillinger, who ultimately was the protagonist. Christian Bale was a cold character, much like Josh Brolin in "Milk," however Bale provided no hint of weakness or humanity throughout the film, lacking a trait needed to match Depp's Dillinger.

Luckily Coltillard did not follow the path of most Oscar winners after they win the golden man (i.e. Halle Berry goes from "Monster's Ball" to "Catwoman"; Helen Mirren does "National Treasure 2" after winning for "The Queen"; and, of course, the infamous aftermath of "Ray" when Jamie Foxx starred in "Stealth," which i have yet to see on the grounds that I'm still boycotting the film), and she provides a solid non-Oscar-worthy performance as Dillinger's woman. She does have one scene at the end that is brilliant.

Mann's script lacked solidity and dragged for scene after scene, however, every bank robbery and jail escape worked as a tie that strung the film together. The excitement and tension outshone the dull scenes of dull dialogue. And one scene in particular, speaking of tension, that stood out above all is the one in which Depp struts into the police department, the police who are out to get him, and goes into Bale's character's office where all the files and pictures and clues are. All the police are out looking for him, and here he is, in the department, talking to some of the ignorant officers who don't notice him. It was perfect.

All in all, "Public Enemies" is what it is: a really great summer flick trying to be a winter consideration.

Grade: C+