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"Public Enemies" should be a great movie. It depicts an American icon and follows a classic and beloved cop-and-robber formula. It stars two chameleons disguised as humans, Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, and we get to watch these leading actors of their generation play with guns. Read More
maybe you don't realise that
maybe you don't realise that Public Enemies is a biopic, ... you must read something about Dillinger and his feelings before make this review because they were really well-shown in this movie. Don't try to get something DeNiro-Pacino because ... they aren't the same character... so they don't have to show the same feelings, so ... you didn't see the feelings in the "toe to toe" scene because you were hoping to find a feeling that wasn't there, because it didn't have to be there, and because of that you ingnored the really magical of the scene, that WAS there, the real feelings.
Response
First, I appreciate your comment. Thanks for reading. Second, I realize that PE is a biopic and I would add that Michael Mann does his usual top-notch job of sticking to the source material without straying. The problem is that the source material is too thin. Not enough is known about Dillinger, and since Mann is a filmmaker and not a historian his job is to take what is known and punch it up with something that captures the imagination without being misleading or inaccurate. With regard to the emotions in the toe to toe scene my argument is simply that the characters did not act interested in each other nearly enough. It does not matter what the specific emotion is, it can be the opposite of the respect that arose between De Niro and Pacino, but there should be something more than the adolescent posturing that went on. These are richly intelligent and deep individuals, each of whom stands in the way of what the other wants. The stakes and the emotions should be high, and I don't believe that Mann directed Depp and Bale to do anything more than engage in a pissing contest. I'm curious, what emotions did you think were exhibited in this scene?
Heat is a masterpiece. I like
Heat is a masterpiece.
I like your post... I agree with a lot of it, but actually Pacino's character dreams of seeing the dead people of the crimes he arrived too late to prevent. He sees himself as destined to hunt down his prey, the scum of the city, but on the reverse side his inner fear is that he cannot do enough. As a result, he neglects his personal life, to protect those he doesn't even know, and is lonely because of it. In de Niro's character, he finds someone who he can talk to, relate to, whilst refusing to leave his role as protector of those who de Niro might kill.
So, the final scene is not tear-jerking, it is powerful. I would say it is not a moment of emotion so much as self realization.
I'm gonna carrying on watching Public Enemies but I don't feel any chemistry so far.
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