Public Enemies

Public Enemies – 2009

*** Out of ****

Micheal Mann's Public Enemies is a film of sombre drama and explosive violence, adrenaline highs and sobering death; a battle of the righteous and the villainous. Combining his love for gangster films and that of period dramas, Mann lets his passion and skill do all the talking in this vividly photographed and exceptionally acted endeavour. Public Enemies is a wide open window into the final months of notorious bank robber John Dillinger, not an origin story, nor truly a biopic. Instead of attempting to cover every aspect of Dillinger’s life, or deeply exploring his psychological motivations it is just about a man in the moment and through this attempt we learn, and connect about the famous outlaw anyways.

More than a quote 'gangster film', Public Enemies is more a human drama that happens to feature gangsters. Then from these sequences of charm and humanity erupts brutal violence and often soulless murder. The gunfights are thunderous, the Tommy guns spouting deafening fire, followed by crushing impacts as the rounds strike everything in their wake. While an effective drama in many ways, the shootout sequences are arguable the most memorable, as never before have I felt like I actually needed to dive for cover in a movie theatre. Ground zero for the violence is the post-Capone, mob ruled Chicago and combining forces to stop the likes of Dillinger (Jonny Depp) and Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) is the founder of the FBI, J Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) and lawman Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale). With robbers make a mockery of the justice system Hoover unleashes Purvis and his team to control the situation and quell the growing wave of violence. On the other side of the law however, Dillinger is planning his big score and his eventually retirement down south with his gal Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard) and the battle of wits and bullets between the righteous agent and the slick crook begins.

Depp is very solid as Dillinger, oozing a cool swagger with playboy charms. He is cocky and while not truly in it for the money loves the celebrity and notoriety that goes along with his brazen robberies. Not the same can be said for Nelson who is like oil to Dillinger’s icy coolness; trigger happy and greedy. Bale’s character is one we have seen many times before, yet for the life of me I cannot figure out why I found Purvis to be so compelling and unique. Perhaps that is just more of Mann's charm shining through his characters. Fresh off her Oscar win Cotillard is lovely in a classic sense and her characters arc makes her all the more fiery and attractive. Aside from the leads, the supporting gangsters are recognizable but not big name stars and this works quite well. One of my favourite of such appearances is Steven Doriff who, if possible, looks even more menacing and greasy in a pinstripe suit and fedora.

Public Enemies is long, but never seems plodding. A so-so opening act succeeds to compelling human drama which is further progressed by the heart pounding action. While true brilliance may have alluded Mann due to the odd pacing issue and really offering nothing masterfully unique, this flick is one that fully immerses you in the time and shows us of a time of when celebrity did not always mean Hollywood, and endings were not always storybook.