The good (cast), the bad (story) and the ugly (videomedia and editing)

Rating: 6/10 (8 July 2009)

This comment may ultimately sound harsh, though I enjoyed the movie and the exceptional cast.
One may argue that "Public Enemies" is really nothing more than a remake of Michael Mann's '95 cult-hit "Heat" set in 1930'ies America. Although that would be an overstatement, there are some truths supporting the above statement.
Parallel protagonists on opposite sides of the law and a lover caught in between wanting a subtle life and loving a criminal. Topped with public wars between gangsters and the police/FBI fought with automatic rifles (m16 rifles and the like in "Heat"), (Tommyguns and pistols in "Public Enemies").
Character portraits in "Heat" were superb and you ended up cheering for both Pachino and De Niro. The cast of "Public Enemies" is equally talented but characters end up shallow and quite dull in comparison. Marion Cotillard's Character is really the only one you end up feeling sorry for.
Vague characters aside, the lead actors are fantastic - in the prison scene with Depp and Bale they show off skills that only few actors possess. Marion Cotillard is wonderful and equally talented.
Characters and plot are vague and dull but the movie is saved by the cast.
BUT......Why oh why Michael Mann did you choose to shoot this on HDCAM/XDCAM/whatever-CAM? Locations, cars, costumes etc. reek of the thirties and are truly amazing - But all of these things get spoiled by the "Oh look at me shooting this big blockbuster on a family camera worth 200$" feel that this movie leaves you with. Colourgrading is horrible and editing too....I mean closeups are fine, but not 90% of the time. Film is far superior to Video even in this digitally-defined age we call present. The video-look alone made this movie seem at least 4 hours long and had me waiting for it to end. Horrible choice Michael Mann....Horrible.
See this movie for the acting, if you don't like; Depp, Bale or Cotillard - don't bother...