Michael Mann Weekend – Public Enemies (2009)

Director: Michael Mann

Writer: Ronan Bennett, Michael Mann, Ann Biderman (Screenplay) Bryan Burrough (Book)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Jason Clarke, James Russo, Stephen Dorff, Channing Tatum, Rory Cochrane, Carey Mulligan, Emilie De Ravin, Marion Cotillard

 

Plot: The Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s.

 

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

 

Verdict: Strong History Lesson

 

Story: Public Enemies starts with John Dillinger (Depp) and his men including Red (Clarke), Pete (Wenham) Homer (Dorff) and Walter (Russo) pulling off a daring prison break as he looks to re-enter the world of bank robbing. We also meet Bureau investigator Melvin Purvis (Bale) who hunts down all the criminals he can and with his added sharpshooting ability is one of the most feared men for criminals.

With the crime level increasing J Edgar Hoover (Crudup) is trying to get the FBI underway with Melvin Purvis being the newly promoted special field agent in Chicago. We follow how Dillinger is trying to keep one step ahead of Melvin through the years as he is becoming American’s Most Wanted.

Public Enemies gives us the story of one of the most known criminals in American history that shows just how John Dillinger crimes changed the way America dealt with criminals. We get a good history lesson which also shows the loyalty that was shown by the men involved. We have everything run smoothly between the two sides where we always see the planning to stay ahead.

 

Actor Review

 

Johnny Depp: John Dillinger is America’s Most Wanted criminal who keeps escaping from jail and going back to his ways of robbing banks. He is smooth talking but equally honest to his men when it comes to loyalty. He personally doesn’t go for the kill preferring to not harm the people he is stealing from the banks. John shines in this leading role showing he has all the ability in the world.

Christian Bale: Melvin Purvis is the sharpshooter that has been trailing John Dillinger, he is trying to change the way the authorities are thinking wen tracking down the criminals. Christian does well in this role as the tracker of criminals.

Marion Cotillard: Billie Frechette is the love interest of John Dillinger who takes his eye but equal turn out to be his weakness. Marion does a good job in this role being the weakness to the leading man

Billy Crudup: J. Edgar Hoover is the man who pushes the new formation of interstate authority to lower the crime rate in America, he assigns Melvin on Dillinger’s tail. Billy is good playing one of the more iconic men in history even from just a supporting role.

Support Cast: Public Enemies has a strong supporting cast which has good names that all help really well.

Director Review: Michael Mann – Michael gives us a good modern filmed but classic era gangster movie.

 

Biographical: Public Enemies shows how all these real characters clashed through their crimes.

Crime: Public Enemies shows how organised the criminals were while robbing the banks.

History: Public Enemies shows how the history of the Bureau trying to become bigger causes a change in how interstate law is conducted.

Settings: Public Enemies creates the settings very well to make you feel like you are part of the current time period.
Special Effects: Public Enemies has great effects when needed but doesn’t just use them for the sake of it.

Suggestion: Public Enemies is one for all the gangster fans to watch and see a real life criminal and how he acts. (Watch)

 

Best Part: Cinema scene

Worst Part: Slightly too long.

Favourite Quote: John Dillinger ‘Listen, doll. That’s ’cause they’re all about where people come from. The only thing that’s important is where someone’s going.’

 

Believability: Based on the real people involved.

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: No

Budget: $100 Million

Runtime: 2 Hours 20 Minutes

Tagline: America’s Most Wanted

 

Overall: Very enjoyable true life crime story

Rating