Julian Ayrs & Pop Culture

If you are an intelligent film-goer, you may be inclined to steer clear of “Public Enemies” – the much-touted piece of fluff starring charismatic Johnny Depp – which was just released in theatres around the country.

The film on the life & times of Public Enemy No. 1 – John Dillinger – roars onto the silver screen right off-the-bat with a smattering of edge-of-your-seat adrenalin-rushing action, then proceeds to move along at a fast clip.

Great, for starters.

From the get-go, I was dazzled by Michael Mann’s (Miami Vice) expert film techniques, which admirably succeeded in buttressing-up the tightly-woven drama as it splashed gloriously before me above the footlights in lush exquisite detail from ambitious beginning to predictable Hollywood-style end.

The actors were often set strategically within the frame (profiles in silhouette, for instance, were often set forward – others farther back – to effect an unsettling tension (or unspoken relationship between the characters), while backgrounds etched in swift small strokes – or lazy wide ones – were offered up when needed to flesh out and add color to the mix when scenarios demanded it.

All-in-all, “Public Enemies” is a visual masterpiece on celluloid which manages to hold the audience captive by virtue of stylized filmmaking approaches and departures that resonate beyond the limitations of the screen normally.

The mesmerizing fictionalized bio – emboldened by gutsy straightforward believable dialogue and fine performances by a stellar supporting cast – is also a smorgasbord for the senses.

Pristine marble polished to perfection in bank foyer backdrops wows, and fashion flourishes from the period flaunt the excesses of the era and openly appeal to the sensibilities in their daring flights of fancy and drama, as the character-driven scoundrels sweep film buffs along in this cautionary tale about high-stakes crimes and a judicial system that is wanting.

The keenest eye could have been fooled, though.

Not mine!

Like a delectable dessert savored at each delicious bite – “Public Enemies” left a sickly sweet aftertaste in my mouth for a moment or two – then faded away.

When ‘ya get right down to the nitty-gritty, the sensational Dillinger tale is just a puff piece.

Yes folks, all style and no substance.

A hollow film, in the final analysis.

No wonder!

When a film goer saunters beyond the initial gloss upfront – and likewise – wises up to the manipulative devices playing havoc with the heartstrings, there’s not much meat left to feast on.

In sum, the filmmakers’ failure to dig deep beneath Dillinger’s skin, was their undoing.

Imagine that, the celebrated director didn’t even bother to scrape beneath the pretty-boy surface (a little rough around the edges) or even try to fathom what made Dillinger “tick”.

One line of dialogue about daily beatings from “Daddy” didn’t suffice to fuel – or validate – the rage that ran rampant throughout “Public Enemies” just shy of two-and-a-half hours.

Eureka!

I’ve stumbled upon the answer.

Just maybe, there was nothing particularly intriguing about Dillinger, to warrant an over-the-top big-budget studio-backed effort.

Say, what were Dillinger’s major achievements (claims to fame) in the grand scheme of things, anyway?

Busting out of jail, robbing banks, eluding the long arm of the law?

That’s it in a nutshell, folks.

Bottom line, Mann was fixing to exalt a lousy thief!

I expect half-the-reason the Mann (some say he’s at the top of his game right now) snapped up Depp to inhabit the role was to capitalize on an image that oozes non-stop with likability.

Just betcha, the studio was counting on Depp’s magnetic persona to slop over and subliminally seduce fans and film goers slyly into the theatres and seal their fate at the box office.

That may have been one failing.

Personally, I thought Depp – though scrappy and menacing at times – lacked the ba”"s to pull off the role effectively.

Universal’s much-anticipated blockbuster cried out for a young DeNiro!

Even still, Depp stole the limelight whenever he appeared onscreen n any capacity.

Not difficult to do.

Christian Bale’s characterization – after all – was wooden.

The FBI role he took a stab at required a stretch that was way beyond his acting muscle.

Ah, but he sure looked masculine (and virile) in a period hat when a smattering of spontaneous light & shadows struck his jutting jaw, just so.

When I am noticing silly details like this, the producers are in trouble.

Essentially, “Public Enemies” is just another gangster movie, albeit goosed up a bit with slick imagery and media-rich state-of-the-art modern technology.

If you want to sit back, nibble on popcorn, and forget about your woes for two -and-a-half hours or so, this is the entertaining bill-of-fare you’ve been pining for.

I’m betting discerning audiences will plunk their bucks down elsewhere for now and catch Depp’s gangster flick later on DVD.

3 Stars!

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