Feels like someone describing the movie.

Rating: 5/10 (18 November 2011)

My title might confuse you, but allow me to explain. Have you ever jumped on a movie after it has started and somebody gives you a little "Important Points" rundown?
This is the problem with Public Enemies. Michael Mann shows a lot of things that are important, you'll see John Dillinger checking his guns and cars. You'll see Melvin stepping in because Hoover has no "street credibility", the FBI being born. But all you see is a 30 seconds scenes about every and each one of these features. The movie feels shallow, like a big box for a small gift. It goes on for a long time, but is basically made up mostly of these small tidbits of "trivia" on the characters.
While on Heat you could relate to both the cop and the thief, in Public Enemies you will have a hard time relating to any. While Deep has his usual charm, and plays very well his "Deniro meets Deep" take on John Dillinger, there is no depth given to this character, he says he wants the world but he doesn't look like up to it.
Bale gives us a lovely vocal interpretation, but his character has absolute no depth. He has no past, no family, nothing to care for other than catching Dillinger and dealing with the way some of his co-workers behave.
Ironically, Marion Cottilard who plays Dilinger's girlfriend is the most interesting character, you can relate to her struggling in life and being swept away by this "whole different world" that Dillinger brings to her.
The action scenes are good, but there aren't many. The movie seems to build up for a incredible heist that never happens.