Saw "Public Enemies" with great expectations because the book, by Bryan Burrough, is one of the most thrilling works of non-fiction I've read in recent years. The book arose out of a fascinating discovery by Burrough, that during the same two or so year period, some of the most famous and notorious gangsters in our history were all on the loose at the same time, wreaking havoc across the middle of the country and captivating attention everywhere. The period coincided with the beginnings of the FBI, which, for month after humiliating month, found itself overmatched against the likes of Bonnie and Clyde, Machine Gun Kelly, the Ma Barker gang, Pretty Boyd Floyd and John Dillinger. 

When I first heard of the movie months and months ago, it concerned me that the film would be too Dillinger-centric, losing one of the great marvels of the book, which was the sense of bank robberies, car chases, escapes and shoot-outs happening all over the place at once. Now that I've seen the movie, I must say that while this is an exemplary and intelligent film, it is far less gripping than and exciting than Burrough's book. The book doesn't ignore the other characters on the loose and many of them -- Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Karpis to name two -- make their appearances here, but the focus is clearly on Dillinger, and in the end, I'm not sure that could result in a great movie.

 It's not that Dillinger's escapades lacked excitement, or that Johnny Depp isn't an absolutely commanding presence. But I can't say we really see into Dillinger's interior life, other than a recognition that here is someone who will live fast and die young. I found him far less interesting, than say, for example, Bonnie and Clyde in the classic Arthur Penn movie. Sure this movie has a lot to say about the moral corruption necessary to take down Dillinger, and that is a compelling storyline. But, I personally found myself admiring the movie rather than loving it. Anyone else see it?

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