Crime sagas are the staple of pure American cinema. "The Godfather," "Scarface," "Heat," "The Departed" and many, many more romanticize illicit actions and make murderers and other criminals personable. Director Michael Mann adds another film to that list this summer with his new film "Public Enemies."
Johnny Depp and Christian Bale star in "Public Enemies," which charts the year-long adventures of the bank robber John Dillinger (Depp). Bale portrays Melvin Pervis, the Federal Agent charged with tracking and capturing Dillinger. The great depression is four years in, with banks seen as evil corporations, and Dillinger becomes a savior to the common folk for stealing from the corrupt and rich. He is not a Robin Hood, because he only keeps for himself, but he created a likeable public hero, while becoming public enemy number one of the state. His fall is dark and disheartening, but he sure left a great impression on depressed America.
Depp proves he is one of the top method actors of this generation. As Dillinger, he embodies a tremendous charm that only legends of Dillinger account for. Depp has the smirk down that photographs of Dillinger immortalize, and his way of speaking mimics the very speech of 30s cinema. It is interesting to hear reports now, that Depp stopped speaking to Michael Mann during filming due to his chaotic filming style. Bale finally delivers a new American accent, trading his Batman/John Conner rasp for a slight southern twang. His role is rather weak in the film, and he never fully embodies the troubled investigator. The supporting characters were fun, especially the psychotic "Baby Face" Nelson and Dillinger's right-hand man Homer Van Meter.
Dillinger as a character in this film is extremely fascinating. His character receives very little development, but why would he? He is a man who came to fame very quickly and went out with a bang. He existed in the moment, so it is fitting that his character does too. As he states in the film he "likes baseball, fast cars, good clothes, whiskey and [his love interest]. What more do you need to know?"
The filming style is rather different. Mann decided to film using HD digital cameras, so the action and camera movement look very video-like and fake. It does not look like a normal period piece. Some viewers may hate it immediately and never get past it, but if you accept it, it's a fun movie.
"Public Enemies" is a revolutionary film though; not because of story or action, although it has some of the best gunfights and robberies ever captured through the lens. Michael Mann chose to break the mold and create a period piece film that doesn't look old. Directors always try to make their films look like the age that they capture. Mann now attempted to make an old movie using HD digital cameras (meaning it looks like video, and the action and camera movement look radically different from film), and it is very incongruous for filmgoers because it has never been done on this scale. For the most part, it actually works. The action is so fun and enthralling, that it fits in a modern format. There are car chases, shootouts and love scenes that could be in any new film; yet they are placed in the 1930s. At times though, this style doesn't work. The script has lines that are ripped from old cinema and sometimes sound out of place, especially when seen through a digital camera. These lines from the script don't fit in at all into the gritty, realistic style that Mann conveys through his camera technique. He never chooses which style he really wants to portray, but he tried something completely different, mixing old and new, to create a film that looks radically different from any story like it.
"Public Enemies" will charm you and blow you away. It is rated 'R' with a runtime of 140 minutes. Catch a matinee showing for this non-blockbuster summer feature.
New offerings this upcoming weekend include Sacha Baron Cohen's newest endeavor in character mockery "Brüno," and the romantic comedy "I Love You, Beth Cooper."
As always, be on the lookout for bargain bin treasures for great films that slip through the cracks. As always drop a line for feedback, recommendations or questions. Until next week's adventure, get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.
Alex Kartman is a junior telecommunications major and writes 'Scene Selection' for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to Alex at ajkartman@bsu.edu
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