Director: Michael Mann
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale & Marion Cotillard
A very enjoyable crime biopic that while not delving too deeply into the motivations of its main character John Dillinger or his pursuer Melvin Purvis, is still frequently gripping, with a good performance from Depp and featuring Michael Mann’s usual flair for impressive gun fights.
With audiences fascinated with stories of criminals, particularly famous ones, and with Michael Mann looking for a better success after the disappointing film adaptation of Miami Vice, Public Enemies works quite well at times in satisfying both. The story of John Dillinger, a bank robber who robbed banks but not their customers during the Depression when banks were seen less favourably (raising comparison’s with the current economic climate), is something of a legend with Dillinger regarded almost as a heroic Robin Hood type, though without sharing his rewards with the people, making him a celebrity. The story also, in regards to the FBI manhunt to capture Dillinger lead by Melvin Purvis, also allows for comparisons to Michael Mann’s classic film Heat, though such comparisons are mostly superficial.
John Dillinger (Depp), having broken several accomplices out of a prison and gone on to lead several successful bank robberies in different states, has now become the most wanted criminal for the newly formed FBI. Despite being a wanted criminal, Dillinger’s attitude to bank robberies where he robs the banks but not their customers, has made him a celebrity to many. Enjoying his fame and the rewards his riches bring him, Dillinger finds himself and his associates, and a newly begun relationship to Billie Frechette (Cotillard), threatened by the newly formed FBI and their ability to use new crime fighting techniques to track him down even over state lines which also makes him a risk to organised crime lords. Meanwhile, the FBI task force charged with capturing Dillinger and his associates, lead by Melvin Purvis (Bale) finds Purvis having to resort to more ruthless methods with which to ensure success.
Impressively shot, using digital film which effectively gives the feeling of seeing raw, live footage of events and a heightened sense of reality. Also impressive, and not surprising from a director like Mann who filmed Heat and Collateral, are the gun fights. Devoid of the usual Hollywood flourishes like slow-motion or CGI, the sequences in Public Enemies are impressive and intense including a sequence in the woods at night that is gripping. There are also some memorable scenes dealing with Dillinger’s fame including a scene in a cinema where a news report asks the audience too look to their left and right while Dillinger looks on with amusement and another moment where Dillinger walks into an FBI office to witness their investigation on him but going unrecognised. However, while technically very impressive and with attention to keeping the plot of the film as accurate to actual events as possible, there is often a lack of emotional drama in Public Enemies. While Depp’s Dillinger gives a brief speech to Billie stating his likes and dislikes and asking what more does she need to know and this working in some regard to establishing Dillinger as a man whose past is less important as what his future actions will be, the lack of exploration into the personalities or motivations of the film’s other main characters works less successfully. The development of Melvin Purvis is disappointing. Treated more as a cipher, with no look into the character’s past, his life outside of his work and with little hint of emotion (made more disappointing by the mention at the film’s conclusion of Purvis’ suicide years later).
Johnny Depp’s performance as Dillinger is enjoyable but only really impresses when interacting with Cotillard’s Billie or when Dillinger is flirting with his fame, otherwise his Dillinger is played fairly straight. Christian Bale is dependably stoic as Melvin Purvis but the lack of exploration into his character and the comparison to more colourful characters such as Dillinger and his associates means that Purvis is a character hard to empathise with and Bale’s performance unmemorable. Cotillard is good as Billie especially in later scenes and while she is convincing in her portrayal of Billie’s affection for Dillinger. Of the other supporting roles, Stephen Graham is enjoyable in a small role as the criminal Babyface Nelson and Billy Crudup’s portrayal of FBI Chief J. Edgar Hoover is enjoyable if too dependant upon Crudup capturing his speech patterns.
Overall, Public Enemies is an enjoyable crime drama with good performances from Depp as Dillinger and Cotillard as his love interest Billie and some excellent gun fights, but is too often lacking emotional depth and Bale’s Purvis is unmemorable. While not as good as Heat or some of Mann’s other films, is still a worthy entry into his catalogue and in the crime genre.
Rating: 3/5
