Interesting, but flawed

Rating: Null/10 (8 February 2010)

The film starts off very promisingly, and I was really invested with it in the first 40 minutes. I thought they were really great, but it was not long that I started feeling the film was not as compelling as it needed to be. The film does have some really great scenes, most notably the action sequences. They were impeccably shot, perfectly directed. The film overall does have very good directing by Michael Mann, but the screenplay needed more intriguing drama. A film like this needs to be keeping you at the edge of your seat throughout, and this film did not. I did admire the impressive set designs, the flawless costumes, and the gritty cinematography (which I thought was actually very impressive). The cast was also great. Johnny Depp was very impressive, giving one of his best performances to date. Christian Bale was good, but nothing remarkable. Marion Cotillard also shined through. Just like in her other film of the year, Nine, she proves she is one of the best rising talents and proves she is a worthy Oscar winner. Here, she is strong and I felt for her character the most. She does the most with her screen time, and Depp and her really were great together. She was particularly great in the scene where she is held captive to give information on John Dillinger's whereabouts. Overall, I did like the film, I do admire it, but it could have been better.