Rating of
3/4
Depp As Dillinger
MovieMike - wrote on 12/22/11
If nothing else, ‘Public Enemies’ is beautiful to behold. While not as moody as ‘The Road To Perdition’ (2002), this film evokes the era about as well. Directed by Michael Mann (credits include ‘Hancock’ and ‘Last Of The Mohicans’); this film looks back into the height of America’s gangster past (circa 1933) and provides rich visual details such as period aero planes (a Ford Tri-Motor for you gear-heads out there), steam trains, many vintage cars, and period set pieces such as Chicago street scenes. Fortunately for us moviegoers, ‘Public Enemies’ offers so much more.
To start with, we get a one-two acting punch from Johnny Depp (as them main character, John Dillinger) and Christian Bale (as Melvin Purvis). While both actors approach their respective roles with equal intensity, the two characters they portray couldn’t be anymore different. Depp’s Dillinger is played with a bit of restrained swagger and strong self-assuredness but the actor also lets us see a vulnerable side to this iconic criminal when he hits his personal lows. Bale delivers a slightly tentative Purvis who makes up for any shortcomings with his determination and is nearly relentless in his pursuit of his quarry. There is no doubt in Johnny Depp’s box-office bank-ability (and he certainly adds to that fact in this film), but Christian Bale seems to be entering into the same territory given this and his other recent performances (‘Terminator Salvation’, ‘Dark Knight’). It’s a shame the story doesn’t allow these two share more interactive screen time than it does.
The surprise performance here has to be Marion Cotillard (‘A Good Year’, ‘Big Fish’) as Mary Evelyn "Billie" Frechette, Dillinger’s girlfriend during most of the time covered in the film. Even though we know as viewers where this is all going, we can’t help but get caught up in her emotions and difficulties as things play out. Equally impressive is Billy Crudup (‘Watchmen’, ‘Almost Famous’ and ‘Big Fish’ as well) as the self-promoting J. Edgar Hoover. As he is trying to build his empire at the FBI, Crudup leans heavily on Bale’s character to do his bidding in ways that often conflict with the latter’s own intended approach to apprehending this Public Enemy #1.
While not a perfect film (there are a number of anachronisms that occur throughout the movie), I felt that ‘Public Enemies’ was very entertaining and satisfying to watch. If you’re a history buff, you should be caught up in the somewhat accurate portrayal of the era. If you’re looking for an action film, there’s a fair amount of that here too. It even qualifies as a ‘date’ movie, given the romantic angle. I don’t want to jinx it, but I’d be very shocked if this film didn’t at least garner a few Oscar nominations. ‘Public Enemies’ should be #1!
