There’s something about a pedigreed failure. On the one hand, you find things to admire, maybe even love — in a strong performance by a fine actor, in the vision of a strong director — even as the movie leaves you cold. But on the other hand, the potential for greatness, given those ingredients, makes you even more upset when things don’t come together.

I go into The Proposal expecting something far from perfect and I’m able to walk out having enjoyed the parts that clicked. I go into Public Enemies expecting greatness. And it’s a lot of things, but it sure ain’t great.

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