Public Enemies is a friend of mine

Rating: 8/10 (3 July 2009)

The name John Dillinger sends a chill down the back of people from several generations. The memory of his fame fades faster and faster. Those directly affected by his actions probably wish they could forget. Born to people who were children during his rampages, I heard the stories of adventure and crime. While the same lips would warn of the evil, bloody acts done by that horrible demon of a man, how could I not wonder while shuddering in terror, "What made this person do these things and why?". To this day I still wonder. There is no better explanation than the basic "evil". Any movie about him and his peers before today would tell you that.
Now comes Michael Mann with his version of a man gone wrong. I still have no pity for the man but I left the theater more satisfied after seeing a more complete movie about the destructive legend. Not only are bad guys bad, but we get to see good guys go bad. Johnny Depp was excellent as the self absorbed, money and power driven bank robbing murderer. His sneers from overconfidence were chilling and even funny when, in one scene he particularly shows his disregard for police by challenging their intellect, or in another, where his picture is glaring over the audience in a theater while he struggles not to look at the attendees' reactions. You just knew he wanted to see how people would react if they knew he was there. Great performance Mr Depp!
Marion Cotillard, you were even better. The smoky, glassy-eyed local girl trying to hold on to her values(perhaps) gave it all up for a wicked man who should never be lucky enough to know a woman as lovely as her. She fought off the temptation for as long as she could, but that one man was able to make her feel needed in a way no other had. Marion is the kind of actress I would like to see in any love story. Her emotional performances were classic. Myrna Loy, from the really old days, appears on the really old screen and one can instantly see the comparison in skill and beauty.
Christian Bale is a very intense actor. I like what he does in about everything he has done. While I have no complaint about his performance, I was caught daydreaming temporarily when his first appearance during a testimony reminded me a lot of Oliver North. Thank goodness for gangsters shooting everyone up because that's what it took to shake that image.
OK, so the performances were great, but there were times I had to wonder why this movie sometimes seemed to be going downhill. I am glad I stuck around because it all paid off in the end. The slowest scenes were actually sticking in mind as the story built up to a climax that I thought made a different kind of twist. While you may think you know how it ends, just knowing the "punch-line" is not enough.
This is definitely not a fast paced movie so adrenalin junkies may need to adjust a little. It is a smart movie but not Shakespeare approved. I have to call it stylized drama suited for most ages(anyone who is allowed to play violent video games). While it is not blood gushing gore, there is plenty of violence.
Great movie gets a great 8.