Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

FAQ / News / Events

Films/DVD Asylum

"Public Enemies:" two woefully weak and miscast lead actors sink this

71.34.241.167

one.
Depp just doesn't have the menace to be Dillinger and Christian Bale just looks good in his suits and slick hair; Bale doesn't seem to be able to speak in a normal voice anymore. He projects weakness and not the tough lawman Purvis was.
Three script writers were involved, including Mann, and it's hard to see what needed 3 heads. There is no character development which makes it difficult to care who shoots whom.
If you want to see a really good film about gangsters, just rent "Bonnie and Clyde." Far more stylish and the love story is far more convincing, too. Better music, cinematography, and writing, to boot!
Since the director, Michael Mann, is known for his great action set pieces, such as those that peppered, "Heat," I at least expected some pulse-pounding moments.
Nope.
The shoot-outs were trite and some took so long one actually just wished a huge blast would kill all involved to just end it.
Billy Crudup, as (I'm not kidding!), J. Edgar Hoover, is the one very good piece of the film.
There is no reason to see this on the big screen. If you must see it, wait for DVD.

Follow Ups:

RE: "Public Enemies:" The HD footage - wushuliu 12:59:40 07/16/09 (0)
from the commercials looks abysmal. I don't get why so many big directors are into the HD format when it just looks like crap once the action kicks in and/or low light is involved. Looks like this film probably has lots of both. The last film like that I saw was Once Upon A Time in Mexico and it looked like someone shot it with a handycam...
I was afraid of this. Did Billy Crudup . . . - Daryl Zero 10:28:43 07/04/09 (1)
by any chance have his big blue dong hanging out underneath his dress?
- SPOILER! - tinear 12:12:54 07/04/09 (0)
  No.
  He really was the best thing in the film, in spite of that. :-)
Depp is no Warren Oates - danj 09:09:34 07/04/09 (3)
The ultimate movie Dillinger.....
- And Bale is no Ben Johnson (nt) - eppis1 20:26:23 07/04/09 (2)
  ...
  - Heck, DePalma's, "The Untouchables" was far better, too. nt - tinear 22:55:17 07/04/09 (1)
    d
    - RE: Heck, DePalma's, "The Untouchables" was far better, too. nt - jimdgoulding 00:11:32 07/18/09 (0)
      Boy, that IS condemnation.
What about Marion Cotillard? She mesmerized me (nt) - townsend 20:10:42 07/03/09 (5)
.
- That's what French women do.....that's all that country is good for is women. * - mr grits 08:40:13 07/04/09 (4)
  .
  NO GRITS NO GLORY
  - RE: Grits I WATCH you...nt - patrickU 10:08:17 07/06/09 (0)
    nt
  - Generals, wines, Bonnaire, cheeses, haute cuisine, Bardot, painters, philosophers, novelists, - tinear 10:08:29 07/04/09 (2)
    architecture, composers, musicians, soccer, Deneuve.......
    - Agreed - Prisoners 14:06:22 07/04/09 (1)
      Women, cheese, wine....the sensual pleasures from France are the world's finest. All in moderation of course!
      Baba-Booey to you all!
      - And France's two greatest inventions: - tinear 22:57:13 07/04/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Agreed posted by Prisoners on July 04, 2009 at 14:06:22
        
        perfume and lingerie!

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: