Expected More From a Depp Film

Rating: 7/10 (13 July 2009)

OK I admit it. I am tougher on a Johnny Depp movie because I expect Academy award greatness type of film, every time. This movie did entertain. Depp was great as was Christian Bale and Marian Cotillard. No issues with the acting . The movie though , had more of a Spoofy, Film Noire feel to it , rather than tell an in depth story of Johnny Dillinger. I googled Dillinger and I have to admit their was a strong resemblance between Johnny Dillinger and Johnny Depp. Definitely excellent casting. The film though would have been better had it focused on Dillingers complete life story, not just the last year or 2 of his life. Plenty of gratuitous action, but some of it seemed forced and unrealistic. At times this resembled more of a Bruce Willis or Arnold Schwarzenegger, bad*ss movie. It was based on a true story but became hard to take seriously. It came across to me that the writer of this movie , was more concerned about having nonstop action than relaying a true story. Perhaps this was in the insecurity of the writer himself. I do not know , I am not a psychologist. I do recommend this film. It was a guys film to be sure . My advice.... Do not go in to this thinking its an elite , award film, as I did, because it clearly is not.