Public Enemies (2009)

2/5

Michael Mann's Public Enemies is a disappointment from start to finish. The plot follows bank robber John Dillinger (Depp) in the early 1930's and the rising crime spree that spurs the police to declare a war on crime. Melvin Purvis (Bale) is put in charge of the Dillinger Squad and is responsible for taking him down, dead or alive. Where Mann's films usually succeed--tense action--here he fails. The gunfights are little more than confusing cuts and annoying noise. The fact that everyone looks, dresses, and talks the same makes it even harder to tell what's going on and who's getting shot. It completely deflates the tension. Mann's use of digital cameras at night without lighting worked in his modern revision of Miami Vice, but the grainy picture feels anachronistic in this film. The romance with Billie Frechette (Cotillard) actually feels slightly stronger here than in his previous films, although love stories were never his strong suit. But all in all, it's a fairly frustrating film and simply doesn't live up to my expectations. I don't know who should see this film, but I would not recommend it.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1152836/

This Is England (2006)

3/5

This Is England tells the story of a tiny 11-year-old boy who's bullied around by other kids and joins a group of skinheads because of the comfort and friendship they provide. Thomas Turgoose's portrayal of Shaun is a revelation for what child acting can and should be. The other people that inhabit this world are bizarre both outwardly and inwardly--and they are more real and more believable for it. The movie can be surprisingly tender at times, but more often than not is simply violent--verbally, psychologically, and physically. This is simple to portray and easy to create reactions in the audience. But it is neither new nor important, and it's a shame this movie spends a lot of time on that. Luckily, it also contains moments of lightness, humor, and real feeling that have a power and a freshness to them.

And it is truly one-of-a-kind. It evokes a flawless sense of time and place. This is due in large part to set design, costuming, and especially music. The music in this movie is brilliantly utilized; the songs succeed in both setting mood and revealing emotions. This comes to a fault sometimes, as the movie can rely too much on the music. The ending is also a bit of a disappointment. It is a coming-of-age story without the main character actually coming of age; he just learns a couple things about life here and there. But it just feels so hollow. You finish the movie and think, That's it?

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0480025/