Bale's character was dry and boring with no personality, he had no story other than chasing gangsters. Depp was good, so was Cotillard. But I'm sure there was a big meeting of studion bean counters after they saw the final cut: there are lots of talented (and well paid) actors who have non speaking roles! Emile de Ravin, Leelee sobieski, and channing tatum don't even speak! I understand cameos, but casting them and then cutting their parts out seems money wasted.