This Film is an Embarrassment

Rating: 6/10 (14 July 2012)

The Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s.
As a native of Wisconsin for 31 years, I was a bit proud to have this film shot in Columbus, Oshkosh and Manitowish. I have walked these streets, seen the sights. Heck, I've spent many hours at the coffee shop and comic book store in Oshkosh where a scene was done. But sadly, the finished product is a disappointment.
The movie begins with too much "shaky-cam". It is not artistic and it is not effective. It is more annoying. And from there, it sort of devolves. Johnny Depp, as much as we may love him, is not John Dillinger. He neither looks like him, nor is he the right sort of personality. Christian Bale made an alright Purvis, though.
I also found the movie to be an insult to the book. While it may be "based on" the book "Public Enemies" (which is an excellent book), it deviates so widely from it that this is more fiction than fact at times. The Little Bohemia incident is exaggerated, including a car chase that happened in a completely different time and place. Billie Frechette's role is enlarged, giving the film a romantic angle it should not have and creating this myth that she was beaten or was the subject of a secret message.
The most egregious change is the scene with Dillinger walking into the so-called "Dillinger Squad" office. While it may well be true that he once entered the same building as the police department, he certainly never walked up to the police and started talking about baseball! The plastic surgery part of the film is removed, and Frank Nitti's role is increased. We also get much more Phil D'Andrea than probably necessary. Dillinger had minimal interaction with the Mafia. To try to inflate their part (without even adequately explaining who they are) is just a mistake, making the story convoluted and even more in error.
If you like gunfights, this film is okay. But for a story, action, and a good Dillinger... I recommend seeing the movie "Dillinger", directed by John Milius. It is the supreme telling of this story.