Public Enemies ~~~

Michael Mann sure does like to blow things up and shoot things down.

Passable action-thriller chronicling the latter life of 'Robin Hood'-type American gangster John Dillinger and his not-so-merry band of hoodlums.

Neither Johnny Depp nor Christian Bale do anything to drag this rather lack-lustre adventure-romp film out of the doldrums. It's just such a dull-fest really and such a shame. This type of flick is usually right up my alley - men, cars, women, politics, violence, social comment, period drama etc etc but frankly, I'd rather watch the decade-plus old Mark Harmon version of Dillinger's story which in itself was flawed to say the least.

It doesn't help that Mann insists on using hand-held cameras or that it's filmed, I think, in digital - the format just doesn't work. It's hardly Bonnie and Clyde stylistically just plain headache inducing.

Marion Cotillard was totally under-used - either make it a love story or don't, whilst other random actors such as Giovanni Ribisi, Emilie de Ravin, Rory Cochrane and Billy Crudup - all very good at what they do - are whisked in and out before they're given half a chance to act at all. I loved the idea of Crudup being a young J. Edgar Hoover and of getting a view of the newly formed FBI etc but the opportunity seemed really wasted. Instead, Mann seemed to concentrate on the bravado of it all - very manly indeed...

Depp, gorgeous and talented Depp - please explain why I felt nothing? Were you meant to be portraying Dillinger as a gung-ho adventurer or a man caught up in the moment of living? I really couldn't tell and by the end, of what is a rather long film, I didn't care. Mr Mann, next time you want to make a film which potentially could appeal to a large audience, sort out the genre first. I don't mean to be prescriptive but with a biographical film like this, an audience generally appreciates some guidance as to the main themes of the story and the thoughts and FEELINGS of the main characters involved.

I will watch this again when it comes out on DVD firstly with the hope that I can watch it without feeling sea-sick and secondly to reappraise whether or not I missed the point of the film the first time around. It's not often I give a flick a second chance but what with the great cast, interesting characters and political/historical perspective I will allow it this time... be warned, Mr Mann, next time you might not be so lucky.

Viewed: 3rd July 09