Depp steals the show as "Public Enemy" #1
Colin McGlinchey
Issue date: 7/3/09 Section: Entertainment
In recent years, Bale has become the go-to-guy to play the hero, even though everyone knows playing the villain is much more fun.
Take "3:10 to Yuma," "The Dark Knight" and now this for example. In each film he was asked to play the straight guy, while another actor gets to have all the diabolical fun.
The thing is, is that Bale is really good at it and--- despite the accent problems--- he proves it again in "Public Enemies." He holds his own against Depp, which is no small feat to say the least.
However, it would be nice to get to see him go back to his dastardly "American Psycho" roots every once in a while.
Cotillard is fine as Dillinger's love interest, but her character gets shortchanged a bit in terms of the story. Also, her French accent seems poised to slip out at any moment.
Outside of the occasionally meandering and listless plot, the biggest problem with the film is Mann's directing.
As mentioned earlier, Mann's camera work is all over the place. Scenes where people are just sitting and talking are shot with an overly dramatic handheld camera that swoops in and out at will. By the end of the film, the camera seems to have become an annoying fourth lead character, and may actually get more attention then Cotillard.
That being said, there are few directors who can shoot an action scene as well as Mann. He has a knack for them that is almost unparalleled and he proves it time and again with Dillinger's exploits.
Chase scenes through the woods at night, car crashes and, of course, bank robberies have rarely looked so good. His visuals are able to perfectly convey the natural energy contained in these action set pieces.
The problem arises when Mann tries to add some of this energy to scenes when that task should be left for the actors to handle.
"Public Enemies" is not a bad movie, it's an uneven one with a hyper active director and an at times thin story line. The good news is that Depp is at home playing Dillinger and as he has done time and again, he saves the movie. He has the uncanny ability to elevate a film from so-so to fantastic with a well-timed grin or a tip of the cap.
Without Depp, "Public Enemies," wouldn't have worked, but with him it manages to survive its shortcomings and then some.
In "Public Enemies," Depp proves once again exactly why he is in a class all of his own.
Take "3:10 to Yuma," "The Dark Knight" and now this for example. In each film he was asked to play the straight guy, while another actor gets to have all the diabolical fun.
The thing is, is that Bale is really good at it and--- despite the accent problems--- he proves it again in "Public Enemies." He holds his own against Depp, which is no small feat to say the least.
However, it would be nice to get to see him go back to his dastardly "American Psycho" roots every once in a while.
Cotillard is fine as Dillinger's love interest, but her character gets shortchanged a bit in terms of the story. Also, her French accent seems poised to slip out at any moment.
Outside of the occasionally meandering and listless plot, the biggest problem with the film is Mann's directing.
As mentioned earlier, Mann's camera work is all over the place. Scenes where people are just sitting and talking are shot with an overly dramatic handheld camera that swoops in and out at will. By the end of the film, the camera seems to have become an annoying fourth lead character, and may actually get more attention then Cotillard.
That being said, there are few directors who can shoot an action scene as well as Mann. He has a knack for them that is almost unparalleled and he proves it time and again with Dillinger's exploits.
Chase scenes through the woods at night, car crashes and, of course, bank robberies have rarely looked so good. His visuals are able to perfectly convey the natural energy contained in these action set pieces.
The problem arises when Mann tries to add some of this energy to scenes when that task should be left for the actors to handle.
"Public Enemies" is not a bad movie, it's an uneven one with a hyper active director and an at times thin story line. The good news is that Depp is at home playing Dillinger and as he has done time and again, he saves the movie. He has the uncanny ability to elevate a film from so-so to fantastic with a well-timed grin or a tip of the cap.
Without Depp, "Public Enemies," wouldn't have worked, but with him it manages to survive its shortcomings and then some.
In "Public Enemies," Depp proves once again exactly why he is in a class all of his own.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Pittsburgh Movers
posted 7/10/09 @ 11:40 AM EST
I have been wanting to see this movie but all the reviews I have seen so far have been kind of mixed, saying that it's a good movie but something about it was a little off. (Continued…)
Edmund
posted 1/21/10 @ 11:51 AM EST
This is probably one of Johnny Depp's most magnificent acting. It's a pity this show did not get the deserved recognition as any other blockbuster movies. (Continued…)
Post a Comment