I felt like Michael Mann Held me up at a Chicago Bank

Robbery. It happens occasionally, however I feel that when it happens at a bank, or a dark alley, or behind an opera house (poor Bruce)it's expected and you can walk away saying "I need to be a little more cautious." I do wish I excercised a bit more caution lastnight at the theaters. My wallet was hurtin' this morning, it's so abusive when it starts drinking. (No one should be alarmed by my wearing sunglasses this whole week.) I went to see Public Enemies last night. Let me tell you why I chose this movie. One it has some pretty alright dudes involed in it: Johnny Depp, and Christian Bale. Two it's about John Dillinger the guy who basically forced the creation of the FBI becuase of his efficient and frequent bank robberies, and not only did he have a hand in the creation of one of the most powerful organizations in the world he also did it and had people love him. They were charmed him, hypnotized by his charisma and his style. How can a movie fail with such an interesting backdrop and rich characters you ask? My answer: I don't fucking know.

It is always a tragedy when the potential for something to be awesome such as a biographical novel, or a memoir about a historically important criminal (clears throat*)is squandered on a mere action film format. At least 40% of the film was composed of chases and gunfights,which in my opinion is the least interesting aspect of John Dillinger. What I find interesting about Mr. Dillinger is that he has a system of ethics, he doesn't rob from actual people, only from institutions. Specifically in one scene a man turns his pockets inside out and places his cash and belongings on a bank tellers desk during one of Dillinger's heists. Dillinger walked by him gun drawn and cooly told him, "That's your money, mister? We're here for the bank's money, not yours. Put it away." What's interesting about this scene when juxtaposed with the FBI's interrogative processes revealed later in the film is the stark difference between Dillinger and the FBI. Point in fact, they are opposites one is a renegade with ethics, the other a major institution totally lacking in human a conscience.

However all we have here is a bunch of delicious ingredients scattered about a kitchen counter with neither rhyme nor reason to guide them. Michael Mann failed to have me care about the characters. The dialogue was sparse and even when it was present it was unmoving. John Dillinger was reduced to a simple 'silent' hero which becomes so tedious so quickly. I almost fell asleep three times in scenes where people are firing off automatic weapons. I'm sorry but it takes a masterful failure to accomplish so little with so much.