I don't think I was alone in waiting, and wanting, to see Public Enemies. With a cast being led by king of the eccentric-loner, Johnny Depp and the always deep and intricate Christian Bale--it wasn't wrong to hope for a lot...
Unfortunately, this film failed to live up to even a small portion of its overall potential.
Several things struck me in all the wrong ways as the film progressed. First of all, I realize that Michael Mann prefers a hands on, gritty, and 'in-the-action' approach to filmmaking. However, the sheer nature of this film demanded a more assertive and epic approach. When John Dillinger first walks into a bank we see him and his cronies from behind, as though we are one of them--but I found myself wanting to be in front, seeing these titans of crime ascending the stairs into their 'workplace.'
Perhaps the most unsettling thing about this movie is that it runs incredibly long, without ever having much to say. The lack of character development is both brutal, and obvious. Christian Bale was criminally under-utilized and Marion Cotillard was given only fleeting moments to shine. After 2 hours of film I would expect to have a great understanding of the various characters, their motives, their passions, the depth of their beings. Instead, I found myself thinking that the only thing I was discovering was that Michael Mann finds John Dillinger to be very cool...
In short--for a film featuring some of the best acting talent on the planet, and focusing on one of America's most interesting periods, Public Enemies comes up short.
http://movieswithminjoe.blogspot.com