Tag: Johnnie Depp
PUBLIC ENEMIES with Depp and Bale
by Oscar on Jul.01, 2009, under Movie Previews
A movie worth seeing?
I sure hope so! After seeing the trailers for this Michael Mann production I am hoping that it is all that it promises to be. But wait! Some pre release reviews have not been so kind. This, from “Rotten Tomatoes”:
Public Enemies hits theaters with an impressive pedigree — it’s directed by Michael Mann and stars two of contemporary cinema’s biggest names, Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. And although critics say the picture offers plenty to admire, it’s strangely muted overall. Depp stars as legendary bank robber John Dillinger, whose daring criminal exploits made him an American folk hero in the 1930s, while Bale plays g-man Melvin Purvis, who’s hell-bent on taking him down. The pundits say Public Enemies has impeccable period ambiance, and Depp emits oodles of roguish charm in the lead. However, others say it never makes the leap from good to great; it’s a solid crime picture that never fully explores its characters or its era.)
Whoa! That’s far less than a full on rave, isn’t it? And upon looking at some of the other reviews it gets a bit grimmer, one even stating “A dull and lifeless gangster movie that immediately disappears from the mind.” Uh oh! I had thought that because Michael Mann had produced this flick that it might be a good bet, and you know what? It just still may be, but now the worm of doubt has entered my mind.
The presence of Johnnie Depp in this movie gives me some hope for a great portrayal of the iconic gangster John Dillinger, but on further consideration Christian Bale’s role as Melvin Purvis makes me pause a bit. I used to hold Bale in high regard, he was great in “3:10 To Yuma“, but his recent somnabulent walk through in the last Terminator flick, and his equally dull Batman performance have put him on the “watch” list, as in watch out! I sure hope he redeems himself in “Public Enemies”.
So, despite my doubts, I think I just may plunk down the cash at the local megaplex to see this one. At the very least I know that it will be pleasant to the eyes as the trailer promises, and since it is a portrayal of an historic time and place I already know how it ends, so I can’t be disappointed there. If it’s any better than just an uneven effort then I may blog my reactions. We’ll see.
