Muddled story

Rating: 5/10 (12 February 2009)

I just saw an early-screening of Public Enemies. Hopefully they can save this movie before it is released. Dillinger's love interest, Billie, was a distracting addition to a movie that is already too long. The overall focus of the film is confused and in the end runs long. The love sub-plot feels very tacked on and could be removed from the film, helping refocus the story on Dillinger and the FBI.
Johnny Depp does a good job and outshines the rest of the cast. They really try to make him seem like a good guy that would do anything to save his friends, but it is all talk...not very believable from his actions. Christian Bale is good, but his part is weak. His character is more of a bystander and mostly forgettable.
The action sequences were good for the most part, and the film could be saved if they stick to those scenes and forget about the non-existent love story.