Bye Bye, Blackbird

The year was 1995, I was just 13, and there was this movie called "Heat", where Robert De Niro and Al Pacino played cat and mouse (cops and cons). Back then, I knew that they were A-list actors, or can even be recalled as the living legends. Until now, "Heat" was the best ever crime/heist saga ever filmed, and Michael Mann was on the director's seat. Mann was quite popular with producing and directing "Miami Vice" episodes in the late 80's (he also directed the movie with the same title, but that it was bombed), means that he was already familiar with creating crime story which reveal the 'black' within the 'white' and vice versa (the cops are bad, the cons are good people). Watching Michael Mann's movie means you gotta prepare for long conversations, thrilling action scenes without any music in the background, an in-depth characterization of each main actors, and last but not least, a great shooting scenes complete with magnificent sound effects.

The legendary 10-min coffee shop scene in "Heat"

Then, we are at 14 years ahead, the year is 2009, and we have "PUBLIC ENEMIES", another typical story ala "Heat", with different settings, and different A-list actors. You got Johny Depp and Christian Bale, whoa, let me repeat that again...DEPP and BALE !!! How cool was that? Both are in their prime moments, and finally we can see Depp playing a 'normal' human character.

STORY

In the action-thriller Public Enemies, Michael Mann directs Depp and Bal, along with Oscar winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp)—the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public.

No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone—from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression.

CAST

Unlike "Heat", where both De Niro and Pacino get their portion equally, in "Public Enemies", I felt Depp got all the attention, especially until half the movie and towards the end, while Bale only got 1/4 of the main portion. Nevertheless, they only talked to each other only for 5 minutes with dull conversation (no other movie beats the 10 minutes Coffee Shop scene in "Heat", where that's the only moment where De Niro and Pacino met).

Johnny Depp, as always, performs a cool character with flamboyant style and playboy appearance (at least until he gets really messed up with Purvis). It's nice to see him fully frontal as normal character (mind you, he will play another weirdo, Mad Hatter in the upcoming Tim Burton's Alice). Too bad his potrayal of Dillinger is not as depth as I hope so, because the story starts when he's already established himself as the bank robber along with his old friends (we don't know how he become a con, how he meets his gang, etc). But, since the movie is already running 2 hours time, I guess Mann has to cut it down to this period only.

On the other side, Christian Bale's role is not as exposed as Dillinger's. He always comes clean, with neat suit and hair, focusing only catch Dillinger and the gang. We know nothing this person himself, family, background, or anything personal. My point is, if only he can get the same portion as Pacino had in "Heat", perhaps it will end up nicely (unless we want MORE Depp than Bale).

But, in my opinion, the star of the movie is Cotillard, who potrays Dillinger's love partner, Billie. She always steals the scenes everytime she shows up. From the beginning, she shows the strong character of Billie with her undenying love toward Dillinger (if you watch the interrogation scene with 'fat boy', you'll get what I mean). In short, her appearances make the movie become more fresh. Yup, she's the scene stealer alright. Oh yeah, if you look closely, you'll see Diana Krall singing "Bye Bye, BlackBird".

Other casts are notably okay, from Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum (I even forgot he also plays a role), Giovanni Ribisi, until the little surprise cameo by Lee Lee Sobieski in the latest part.

MEMORABLE SCENES

The opening jail breakout scene.

Dillinger meet Billie.

Dillinger visits the Police Station.

Billie's interrogation.

The midnight forest house raid.

Dillinger's last word.

FINAL VERDICT

Frankly, "Public Enemies" still can't be compared with "Heat" in term of the quality and the character depth. But nevertheless, I felt refreshed by this kind movie, in spite of the cinema attacks by superheroes, giant robots, wizards, and animations. So, it's a good change for a while, although some people might find this is a boringggg movie, especially at 1/2 half of the movie. If you don't mind with all long conversations, combined with good shooting scenes (believe me, the bullet sound and the holes are looks so real), you'll enjoy it. But, if you sleep even while you're watching Harry Potter, better save your money then.

MY RATINGS : 7.5/10

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