Quick Movie Review: Public Enemies (2009)

Bottomline: Good movie and worth your time. If you really want to be enthralled by the high end production values of this movie, you must see it in the theater. If you could care less, then you can wait for it to be released on DVD.

Pros: Exceptional production and camera work. Terrific score and music. Solid acting performances by Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotilliard.

Cons: Lack of context, plot and character development prevent you from totally investing in the film and keep the film from being a great film. Too freakin’ long.

QMR Opinion: Not including Public Enemies, I’ve seen four Michael Mann-directed movies: The Last of the Mohicans (1992), which I enjoyed a lot; The Insider (1999), which is a terrific film; Ali (2001), which showcased Will Smith but collapsed under the weight of its own pretentiousness; and Collateral (2004), which was pleasant. Mann is known for his hectic and overly stylized work, a style which he honed while producing the TV show Miami Vice. Given that reputation and the trio of stars anchoring Public Enemies, it really should have been a great film. But it’s not. There has been a lot of talk regarding the digital camerawork on this movie – some like it, some don’t. I loved it. I loved the handheld camera work. I loved the highly stylized colors. I loved the sound work. I loved the tight camera work during the gunfights. I loved the music and the score. The acting performances delivered by Depp, Bale and Cotilliard were solid.

All that said, the movie is too long (I continue my call for editors – anyone, please) and lacks the context and storyline necessary to make me really care about the movie and its characters. The movies starts fast and stays fast with moments punctuated by forced stops. It should be a great, wonderful, marvelous movie but it’s not and that disappoints me.

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