Depp but not deep

This review should catch me up, at least in terms of in theater reviews. There are still some lingering Netflix reviews I'll need to take care off.

Public Enemies had all the makings for an instant classic. You have a rich cast with Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard. You have an imaginative and established director with Michael Mann. And to top it off, it's a gangster flick; a genre that has developed several great films in recent years. Watching this however, you couldn't help but feel something was still missing.

But before I get ahead of myself, let me appropriate give credit where it is due. First off, Michael Mann delivers one of the most beautiful films I have seen in long time. I don't know if the picture quality is better at Dayton theaters than the ones in Raleigh or if Michael Mann is just that good of a director. Regardless, everything pops off the screen with beauty and clarity. Everything looks authentic and realistic. Art direction is not something I typically notice or care about, but it was a definite asset of this film.

However, while the film is nice to look at, the real draw here is Depp. Once again, this guy gives a performance that is rich and draws you in. You're not looking at Depp, you're looking at the person he's portraying. He shows both the reckless and calculating sides of famed gangster John Dillinger. He does just enough to make the character fun without going so far as to glorify the man. It's performances like these that continue to solidify Depp as one of the greatest actors of his generation.

Depp also has good chemistry with Cotillard, who plays his love interest, Billie. Their relationship is an interesting one as they both seem to realize its destined for failure given the danger of his profession, yet go through with it anyways. Bale is the one who's the odd man out here. Playing FBI agent, Melvin Purvis, Bale isn't really given that much to do here and only has one decent scene with Depp. However, the film really isn't about Purvis and I think Bale was brought on as an extra selling point for the film. In reality, the role probably didn't need to go to that large of a star. Then again, there were some other odd casting choices seen here. Like Leelee Sobieski showing up in the last twenty minutes of the film and barely having any lines. It seems like they could have either found more for her to do or hire someone less famous for such a thankless role.

That Sobieski cameo seems reflective of the main problem that plagues this film; it doesn't seem like a whole lot of thought was put into creating this film. The story, as a whole, doesn't seem to have a point. I found myself engaged in every scene, but also wondering what significance it had on the larger picture. The film depicts a wide range of events in Dillinger's life without really saying anything about the man. Without any symbolism or meaning behind the actions being displayed, the film failed to have a lasting impression on me. In the moment, I found myself really enjoying the film, but also found myself quickly forgetting about it shortly after it was over.

It's a shame the source material isn't better here. People like Depp and Mann are such consumate professionals that they're able to produce quality work out of anything. It's quite apparent that their fine skills are once again on display here. It is thanks to their efforts that the film rises above mediocre and becomes something fairly decent.

I'm recommending the film based on the strength of their work. Depp and Mann deserve some recognition during awards season, but I worry now that the weak story may cause most people to overlook their work. For the average viewer, Public Enemies is best suited as a rental since the film lacks that level of significance to make it worthy of seeking out in the theaters. You may not need to rush out and see this film, but Depp and Mann make it one that you ultimately can't refuse. Grade: B+