Intense and originally shot gangster movie

Rating: 7/10 (8 November 2009)

I saw this movie as a second choice, since the picture I meant to see was sold out at the movie-theatre, but although not being my favourite genre, I really appreciated it. The myth of John Dillinger is brought to vivid life by Johnny Depp who hits the sign, by offering a truly strong and deeply convincing performance. We do not come to know much about this rob-banker, except he loves robbing and planning robbing banks, he is a highly professional man, and committed to his job, he never retreats, he never gives up, he is honest and sincere, that's what makes Billie Frechette fall in love with him. I really liked her character, very intensively interpreted by Marion Cotillard: at the beginning she appears as a fragile woman, in search of protection, but as the story progresses, she proves strength, in the way she stays next to her man in the most tragic moments. Although we do not see much about their relationship, although they do not say much to each other (Dilliger once says to her: "I like baseball, movies, good clothes, fast cars and you. What else you need to know?"), they are deeply in love, being their love founded on sincerity from the beginning, and the only moment, a very touching one, when Dilliger laughs (he generally shows a hard, almost insensitive face) is when he gives her the fur-coat as a present. The movie is very well built, the original and expressionistic use of camera-work makes everything sound very realistic and involving, although sometimes too indulging in violence. The script is very intelligent and made alive by a talented cast. And, let me address to the female public, Johnny Depp in a white shirt and a black suit is really worth the ticket!