I saw the film!

[clion]

Here you can discuss the film ... those of you who have seen it, that is. The rest of you, enter at your own risk.

THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!

Now, tell me what you thought.

[Little Miss Misfit]

Well, I just finally saw it. I didn't know much about the film or Dillinger going into it, but I ended up really liking it. After I got home, I started reading the Wikipedia page just to see how accurate it was to the real story. It's just all so interesting. (I'm a history buff, haha)

[The Poetic Protégée]

I'm not usually a fan of gangster films and I must admit I didn't have high hopes for this one but I actually really liked it. The way it was shot made the whole thing seem very intimate. I really felt for Billie, the way Dillinger drew her in with promises of the world and wouldn't take no for an answer. I mean, they could never have had a happy ever after, could they?

Didn't rate Christian Bale's performance. I really don't see why people rave about him as an actor.

Do you think the life of a gangster like Dillinger back then has parallels with celebrities of today? I don't just mean the fame but also the recklessness and the destruction that overcomes so many. Just a thought.

[clion]

Yes, Jay, definitely! It feels like it, the whole film seems to give the viewer that impression.

I have to admit, I have seen the film twice and I really didn't like it the first time but it was okay the second. My problem is that I have read the books about Dillinger before seeing the film and I kept comparing what I've read as facts and what I saw. The truth is manipulated to fit Mann's vision about the film, I'm afraid. There was a lot of emphasis on Dillinger's affair with Billie but, although he said himself she was the love of his life, Dillinger was a woman's man and he did have a lot of affairs. Polly Hamilton was one of them, quite a passionate one really, which didn't show in the film at all.

There are a lot of bits and pieces here and there which are not accurate at all, like that the whole Dillinger gang was killed at Little Bohemia. That didn't happen. Dillinger's last words, never confirmed, Pervis saving Billie from the interrogation, no, he didn't, it was Doris, the secretary who helped Billie. And more.

The second time I concentrated on Johnny's performance and all the rest around the film. I liked the costumes, the atmosphere of the era and the performances of almost everyone. Except Christian Bale, so cold, he could have phoned in his parts. I didn't really like the hand held camera, all that wiggling gave me a headache! And I do believe Mann had a great story and great characters but he missed the point completely and messed it up.

My humble opinion. I hope I didn't ruin it for everyone.

[The Symbolic Sacrifice]

I did, I actually finally saw this film.

It was very loud or our speakers in the cinema were playing up because I came away with my ears ringing from all the gunfire.

Boy was there ever a lot of gunfire.

I knew zip about John Dillinger before the movie except that he robbed banks. Had heard his name mentioned a couple of times and I think there was a song about him or a song with his name mentioned it but that was it.

I never knew he was infamous with the American public and that he thought of himself as a rock star.

Loved the little waved he gave to the people lining the street to see him, very royalish.

Loved the whole love story angle that Mann portrayed between JD and Billie ( I'm a soft touch for love stories)

That said I think I will look up some facts about the true story, anyone got any directions for that?

And lastly....











JA finally has some serious WEAPONRY in its hallowed halls....






~SS~

[clion]

Glad you enjoyed the film, SS!

I found a lot online, mostly wikipedia and other sources. The book the film is based on is very informative too and also Dillinger: The Untold Story is a good read.

[Candy Queen]

I thought she was supposed to wear a red dress at the end of the movie though...

[clion]

This is one of the misinterpretations actually. The film is accurate on this point; Ana Sage did indeed wear an orange skirt, but because of the lights that evening outside the theater, people soon started talking about the 'lady in red'.