Feb 21 2010
Public Enemies (2009)
Starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Marion Cotillard
Directed by Michael Mann
Rated R for gangster violence and some language
2 hours 20 minutes
With terrific actors, costumes, sets, and music, this gangster movie was obviously well made. Unfortunately, I didn’t really like it all that much. Depp, Bale, and Cotillard are all adequate in their portrayals of John Dillianger, FBI agent Melvin Purvis, and Dillinger’s girlfriend Billie Frechette, but we never get to know any of them that well. Instead, Mann decided to focus most of his energy on extended machine gun fights, which I didn’t find all that interesting. This film was, of course, inspired by a true story. I just wish it had been more inspirational.
Grade: C+
It was also filmed in Oshkosh, WI, one of Dillinger’s hangouts.