Public Enemies

Michael Mann brings us a crime film based on the search for well-known bank robber, John Dillinger (Johnny Depp). The film follows FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) as he hunts Dillinger in the trying years of the Great Depression. John Dillinger (Depp) and his gang start to fall apart as Melvin Purvis and his relentless team of FBI agents search, arrest, and kill the gang down to the last man, Dillinger. 

Michael Mann creates the 1930 piece with reverence. Even the new digital filmmaking technique adds style and grace to the film. The digital filmmaking experiment flourishes Mann’s directorial, artistic story-telling. Johnny Depp takes over the screen by giving us the rock solid presence of a true superstar. His performance was remarkable, and it steals the show. Through Depp’s performance we can see the arrogance of Dillinger, but we can also see the man inside that still fears and could possibly see his downfall. We know what happens to Dillinger in real life, but Depp’s swagger and confidence on screen will have you wishing the criminal gets away. This film is digital masterpiece, and an excellent re-creation of a 1930s time period. The film isn’t an over the top action film, but bullets and blood fly. The action is well-contained, and just enough to keep you on the edge. Let it be known that character development is nonexistent for anyone outside of Dillinger, but who cares about that when Johnny Depp is the main character?  Well Done.

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