Plot
Public Enemies is a true story set in the great depression of the 1930's.
It focuses on legendary gangster John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) who because of his bank robberies, quickly gets named as America's public enemy #1 by J.Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) and the FBI.
Dillinger with his ridiculously infectious charm manages to endear himself to almost everyone including the public who love his audacious jailbreaks and charismatic charm.
Not to mention the fact that the public have no sympathy for the banks that helped make the country in such a depressed state.
Hoover sends top FBI agent Melvin Purvis' (Christian Bale) to stop Dillinger.
Summary
Depp plays Dillinger brilliantly and director Michael Mann (Heat, Collateral) portrays his cocky and arrogant nature well on screen.
Bale as Purvis' is equally brilliant as the straight-laced cop intent on catching Dillinger.
One thing that is so good about Mann's previous films is the character development he shows, in this film there really was no character development.
Being a true story this film should educate the audience about the main characters, I still do not really know anything about Dillinger or Purvis.
The attention to the period detail in this film is incredible and there are a couple of really good, intense and realistic gun shoot-out scenes.
Highlighted more should have been the cat and mouse aspect of the film. While it is intriguing to see when Purvis will get his man, more could have been done to highten the drama of his impending capture.
Overall
It is so refreshing to see Johnny Depp play a character that is not crazy, weird, or a pirate. Reminding us all what a damn fine actor he is when given a suitable role.
Public Enemies has some magnificent acting and showcases two of Hollywood's biggest leading stars in Christian Bale and Depp, but I feel they never are really allowed to expand on the script they are given.
The action scenes are very well done and it does feel like as an audience you are right in the thick of the gun shoot outs.
Crunch Rating -
I've heard that this film isn't great but after reading your well written review I am considering giving this a watch.
ReplyDeleteGood job!