Wow!

Rating: 8/10 (13 July 2009)

There isn't much character development here but Johnny Depp scores as the self-assured, fly-by-the-seat-of-his pants, Robin Hood-esquire Dillinger who spat in the face of Johnny Law at every turn. As a member of Hoover's "take off the white gloves and hit hard" FBI, Melvin Purvis, Bale does more than just be a stuffed shirt. The cat and mouse game between the two is suspenseful and the bullets crackle and explode in intense shoot-outs and the prison escapes and bank robberies couldn't be more daring. The production values (the classic cars, night-clubs, costume design, the old movie theaters, etc) look fantastic and bring the 1930's to life and the tight close-ups of characters faces adds to the grit of Michael Mann's outstanding looking film. Cottillard is a classic beauty, a strong presence, and her scenes with Depp are some of the best romance you'll see this year. But it's Depp, layering on the cool, that has us rooting for the bad guy. This all leads to one of the best and most powerful endings of the year.