Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by MaxwellP (A) on January 19, 2010 at 05:57:40

In Reply to: RE: I'll regret this, but... posted by jamesgarvin on January 18, 2010 at 14:56:39

James,
Thanks for taking the time for your thoughtful response. I get what you are saying: I set up a rather plastic sterotype and then accused Depp of not conforming to it, thus drawing erroneous consclusions. Okay, point conceded.

In response to: "I'll ask you, how should Depp have portrayed Dillinger? And should he have portrayed him that way even if it was not historically accurate?"

I would say--as I said above--Mann/Depp's characterization of Dillinger--or probably more importantly, the script writer's--seemed simplistic to me, devoid of complexity, plastic. If they wanted to portray him as a gentleman, why not hint at some of the demons that drove him to be a criminal? Historical accuracy? Is history ever accurate? I stand by my statement above that Dillinger was a killer--cold-blooded--and the newspapers (worse then than now) made him a popular figure with the masses.

I'm glad you enjoyed the movie; I really wish that I had. Kind regards...
Tom