public enemies

--possible spoiler alert--

bearing in mind that the film featured johnny depp and christian bale, it left me wanting. not wanting in regards to brilliant acting, extensive shoot outs, and overall entertainment value, but rather it lacked hope. instead of depicting the glorious triumph of good over evil and the masses over the elite as the film’s trailers suggested, it reflected desolate people with no chance of escaping their current state. no matter if the characters held on to money, fame, security, or love, no one in the film was able to grasp on to anything remotely resembling truth or contentment. in the end there was no winner, there was no hope.

in actuality i should not be too surprised by the film’s content. director michael mann last couple of projects have all left me unsatisfied due in part to his constant focus on the depravity of man (hancock, miami vice). yes i am a calvinist and more that anyone else i should understand mann’s perspective and appreciate his message. however, one of the essential components to my faith is the embrace of grace and realization that redemption is possible despite ourselves. although mann understands and beautifully depicts human nature, he continuously fails to capture the optimism and hope that can be found in this world through christ.

one has to point out, however, that the film could not have been released at a better time. unemployment and increasing debt is rampant, and the american people are like those in ‘public enemies’ - constantly searching in all the wrong places for hope and redemption. it will be interesting to read the reviews of the film during the next couple of weeks and see how it fairs at the box office.