http://cfilmc.com/public-enemies/ Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:05:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 http://cfilmc.com/public-enemies/comment-page-1/#comment-35 Jason Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:17:22 +0000 http://cfilmc.wordpress.com/?p=349#comment-35 Public Enemies wants to do for Dillinger what The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford does for Jesse James. A revisionist look at a genre, which casts great themes upon an iconic hero of outlaw folklore. Except, Jesse James was confident about its themes of celebrity, idolatry, and isolation. It also had a visual grandeur that complimented both the epic feel of the landscape and even heightened the emotions of the characters. The Themes in Public Enemies are muddled. I don't know who the hell Dillinger is, what he wants, or why he does anything. I don't need a back-story, just more than a shallow overview of his character. I have no sympathy for Dillinger or Frechette, yet the film is forcing sympathy down my throat. Public Enemies wants to do for Dillinger what The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford does for Jesse James. A revisionist look at a genre, which casts great themes upon an iconic hero of outlaw folklore. Except, Jesse James was confident about its themes of celebrity, idolatry, and isolation. It also had a visual grandeur that complimented both the epic feel of the landscape and even heightened the emotions of the characters. The Themes in Public Enemies are muddled. I don’t know who the hell Dillinger is, what he wants, or why he does anything. I don’t need a back-story, just more than a shallow overview of his character. I have no sympathy for Dillinger or Frechette, yet the film is forcing sympathy down my throat.

]]> http://cfilmc.com/public-enemies/comment-page-1/#comment-34 GHJ Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:47:06 +0000 http://cfilmc.wordpress.com/?p=349#comment-34 I think you're missing the point. Mann isn't trying to emulate anyone, especially the WB gangster films, not in theme or style. As with Heat and Last of the Mohicans, he's paralleling the use of narrative space with an epic, sweeping look at situational clashes between both sides of the law. This world constricts and forces the characters to make complex decisions. Depp's portraying an icon, not a dimensional character, more an interpretation of Dillinger as a Mann hero. To complain that the film doesn't create backstories, or concise emotions, or balance the story is faulting Mann for not making the film you expected to see. I think you’re missing the point. Mann isn’t trying to emulate anyone, especially the WB gangster films, not in theme or style. As with Heat and Last of the Mohicans, he’s paralleling the use of narrative space with an epic, sweeping look at situational clashes between both sides of the law. This world constricts and forces the characters to make complex decisions. Depp’s portraying an icon, not a dimensional character, more an interpretation of Dillinger as a Mann hero. To complain that the film doesn’t create backstories, or concise emotions, or balance the story is faulting Mann for not making the film you expected to see.

]]> http://cfilmc.com/public-enemies/comment-page-1/#comment-33 David H. Schleicher Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:59:49 +0000 http://cfilmc.wordpress.com/?p=349#comment-33 I laughed quite a bit reading this one. I love your closing line (though Cotillard as Billie...and that scene...were ironically the highlights of the film for me). Overall, I agree with most of your assessment. In my original review, I was so desperate to have liked the film that I think I may have been too kind or forced myself to like certain elements when really, the whole thing was just a narratively underdeveloped and visually overcooked mess. I laughed quite a bit reading this one. I love your closing line (though Cotillard as Billie…and that scene…were ironically the highlights of the film for me). Overall, I agree with most of your assessment. In my original review, I was so desperate to have liked the film that I think I may have been too kind or forced myself to like certain elements when really, the whole thing was just a narratively underdeveloped and visually overcooked mess.

]]> http://cfilmc.com/public-enemies/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Robin Hood Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:10:19 +0000 http://cfilmc.wordpress.com/?p=349#comment-32 Nice job Jason, I completely agree. It was a struggle for me to stay awake during this one. Nice job Jason, I completely agree. It was a struggle for me to stay awake during this one.

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