Not quite as hot as Heat, but its a warm addition to crime dramas

Rating: 7/10 (2 July 2009)

Entering this movie, I wasn't sure if I should expect what the trailers depicted, a riveting action yarn similar to Mann's Collateral, or a crime drama similar to Mann's other baby Heat. Turns out, there's a good chunk of both, it is definitely a Michael Mann film, and Definitely a Johnny Depp film.
The opening to the first 45 or so minutes kept you intrigued at times but left out at times, there were times where you just can't tell which gangster is which (save Red Hamilton and Dillinger). The greatest flaw if this film is the lack of character depth, again, save the friendship between Dillinger and Red which had the depth needed to carry the film.
There are shootouts abound, the film very closely and accurately (save one mishap, ready the trivia and you'll find out) portrays the Dillinger saga. However, again, I was disappointed in the chemistry between Dillinger and Billie and the romance that budded in real life but not so much in the film.
I'm still confused in my total take of this film. It was very hyped up, considering the lead roles and director, but somewhere along the lines, it just fell flat in regards to its hype. Depp was outstanding in his role, and I quite honestly feel that there should be a Best Actor nod his way at next years Academy Awards. Billy Crudup definitely turned in a great performance as J Edgar Hoover as he continues to prove himself as a rising Hollywood star. Christian Bale (one of my favorite actors BTW) was a couple steps up from his performance in Terminator Salvation, but he just wasn't great, he was very monotone in all of his dialog (wheter Pervis was actually like that, everyone has a personality, and Bale's performance lacked any personality what-so-ever), and Cotillard wasn't effective as "Dillinger's Girl" either, not enough screen time with Depp, no back story, which was too bad because when she was on screen she turned on the drama, so maybe you can blame the script for excluding her.
Great accurate story line (minus leaving out any build up around Dillinger's gang), great cinematography, great camera work, great action sequences, excellent depiction of the 1930's. Visually this film was a 9/10
Great supporting cast but they all lacked any depth, little screen time for many rising stars of today, Johnny Depp, although not eccentric, turned in a charged Oscar Nominated worth performance which adds this film to his top performances, Mann definitely was behind the camera, and if you are a Michael Mann fan, you will enjoy the look and feel of the film, but may get antsy in your seat after 2 hours and wish there was more dramatic elements. performances 6/10