Public Enemies

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres for the Fourth of July bang for your buck is Michael Mann’s tribute to one of the most infamous 1930’s gangsters of our time with the release of Universal Pictures “Public Enemies”.

This film tells the story of John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) who, with his buddies Charles Makley (Christan Stolte) and Peter Pierpoint (David Wenham), begin the tale breaking out of an Indiana prison.

As head of the new crime bureau, J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) calls upon Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), after his capture of Pretty Boy Floyd (Channing Tatum), to head up a task force to capture the charming Dillinger.

Dillinger laughs in the face of it all with bragging that there isn’t a jail that can hold him and continues his lifestyle of bank robbing and causing mayhem. Nothing stops him, not even falling head over heals for the beautiful coat-check girl Billie Frechette (Marion Colliard).

However, times are changing and Purvis has a new method of pursuing criminals and Dillinger begins to get a taste of it. He brings in a group of special agents who help in the downward spiral of the mythical gangster with betrayal from all sides, including other criminals.

In the end it is a true story of one of the most sought after and beloved criminals of our time.

FINAL WORD: This is pure Depp and once again I wonder is there any part this man can’t play? He captures the carefree yet plotting way of Dillinger down to his disarming smile. Look for him soon in Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” as the Mad Hatter and “The Rum Diary”. 

Bale is stern in his portrayal as Agent Purvis. The role calls for a strong believing character and he brings it with conviction. There is not much of emotion here but the focus is definetly seen on screen.

Academy Award winner Colliard is sweet as Billie, the girl who captures Dillingers heart to the very end. Crudup is, quite honestly, is delightfully eerie as J.Edgar Hoover. It has to been seen to be appreciated!

That being said it is a gorgeous period piece and a nice relief from the sci-fi, CGI films in release. Depp and Bale turn in strong performances yet- there is something missing from the film.

It could be the fast pace in which characters come and go - not giving the audience enough time to know who is who or to even care. It also may be the way the story is quickly put in front of the viewer - as if everyone should know who Dillinger is and what his story is about.

Michael Mann is best known for such works as televisions “Miami Vice” and the Academy Award nominated “The Insider”. His 2005’s “The Aviator” brought him eleven nominations, including Best Picture.

Other cast include James Russo as Walter Dietrich, John Judd as Turnkey, Stephen Dorff as Homer Van Meter, Branka Katic as Anna Sage, Geoffrey Cantor as Harry Suydam, Giovanni Ribisi as Alvin Karpis, John Lister as Judge Murray and Leelee Sobieski as Polly Hamilton.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Public Enemies” four tubs of popcorn out of five.

If you enjoyed the films “The Untouchables” and “Bonnie and Clyde” then this film is a definite must-see for fans. Coming in at two hours and forty minutes, it’s a beginning to end look at the life of Dillinger.

Grab a tub of popcorn and pick a side for the shootout of the century!