Acclaimed director Michael Mann ("The Insider," "Heat," "Collateral" and "Miami Vice") brings to life the true story of Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp from "The Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy), who was America's first Public Enemy No. 1. His doggedly determined pursuer on the side of law and order was the fledgling Bureau of Investigation's top special agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale best known for his role as Batman in last year's "The Dark Knight") in charge of the Chicago field office.

This crime drama is based on the best-selling book of the same title by Bryan Burroughs. This movie is a series of disjointed bank robberies, prison breakouts, car chases and machine-gun shootouts. You never really get to know anything about the underdeveloped characters after spending nearly 2˝ hours with them.

It is very noticeable that the movie was shot with a handheld high-definition digital video camera. Mann's attempt to be cutting edge and radical just doesn't work in this period piece. The picture quality lacks the crisp visual clarity that we take for granted in 35mm film stock. The backgrounds have an artificial, washed-out appearance and the skin tones of the actors are pallid.

The peripheral characters such as Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, Alvin Karpis, Frank Nitti and various members of Dillinger's gang are given short shrift and not identified properly.

The love affair between Dillinger and coat check girl Billie Frechette (Academy Award-winner Marion Cotillard who played Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose") never goes below the surface to reveal the feelings behind the mutual attraction. We get to see them roll around in bed for a few minutes and Dillinger make empty promises about providing her with a whole new exciting life. They dance to the song "Bye Bye Blackbird," which is played repeatedly throughout the movie.

This superficial experience is short on dialogue and plays out with a slow cadence that mirrors real life. There are extended takes of corridors and hallways. Every bank and prison cell looks the same. Tighter editing could have chopped off 30 minutes without losing anything important.

Depp appears with a thin, neatly trimmed mustache. He, along with the other actors, rises above the flimsy, waterlogged story that elicits a feeling of emptiness for the characters.

The movie tangentially holds your interest, but could have been so much better if it had developed a rooting interest for one side or the other.

The movie's strengths are the sound, the period clothing, vintage automobiles, production design and a jazzy musical score provided by Academy Award-winning composer Elliot Goldenthal ("Frida") with popular songs from the era.

This hollow gangster-driven outing, which trades on Mann's reputation, is not in the same league as "The Untouchables" or "Bonnie and Clyde." Further evidence of the artsy nature of this project is that the title doesn't appear until after all the credits have rolled.

Review By:
Keith Cohen "The Movie Guy"

Review Below By:
Jolene Mendez
JoReviews.com

1 out of 4 Stars

“Public Enemies” is an action packed thriller starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann who tells the true story of legendary bank robber John Dillinger (Depp). During the Depression-era Dillinger is the charismatic bank robber whose sharp quick hold ups made him the number one target of Melvin Purvis (Bale).

The unstoppable Dillinger could escape from anything. No cop could restrain him and no prison was unbreakable. Dillinger’s charm made him captivating to almost everyone, especially to his new love; girlfriend Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard). Continuing his adventures with his gang, Dillinger eventually became America's first Public Enemy Number One and Purvis was sent in to head up the squad in the search. Purvis and his squad were made to look incompetent as Dillinger and his gang outwitted Purvis' men in wild chases and shootouts. Eventually the chase has to come to an end and as they say the good guy always wins.

“Public Enemies” is this summers big let down. Expecting a vibrant film from Bale and Depp, I left filled with boredom. Bored from the chase sequences that were very repetitive and unending. Many scenarios were unbelievable, including Dillinger who picks a random woman out at a club and knows nothing about her, but manages to convince her to quit her job and go on the run with him. Johnny Depp as always is remarkable as Dillinger, but once again I am displeased with Christian Bale as Purvis. I found his forced accent distracting and felt he has overplayed himself once again. As much as the film had bang for the buck, it just did not cut it. I would make sure you have some Red Bull before viewing this flick, as you’ll need energy to remain awake during some drawn out scenes.