Public Enemies (15)

On first hearing about this film I was as excited as a mobster in a bank. Michel “Heat” Mann (we’ll not mention his more recent work.... such as Miami Vice), with Christian Bale AND Jonny Depp. I’m glad to report that it does not disappoint . . .entirely. The title itself is ironic as Dillinger was far from the number one enemy in America to its people who idolised him and his cocky nature and take- no-bullshit- attitude.

Suits, boots and cahoots is what the film offers and with abundance. The era is one of The Great Depression - 1933. Telling the story of modern day Robin Hood, John Dillinger, a guy who robbed from the poor and the rich alike yet they all still loved him and he was quite the celebrity of his day. Together with his associates, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd he managed to escape three jails and steal thousands, he could go through a bank in “1 minute, 40seconds FLAT”.

It can never be said that Depp takes the safe route and here is no exception, at times you still need a little more convincing that he is actually a gangster as he does not look all that comfortable carrying and firing a machine gun but as it’s Depp we’ll forgive him. Interestingly Dillinger was fifteen years younger than Depp (46) at the time of his death yet throughout the film there is pure confidence on his part.

Even without the slick new HD filming format the film would have a sharp feel about it due to its dialogue, but as gangster films of this era often do, it instantly has more class, charisma and character but the HD adds extra intimate detail.

The key basic element that the film lacks is that of character back-story and development, you never see Purvis (Bale) out of his work life, whereas Dillinger is summed up pretty well in his introduction to his love interest, Bille Frechette (Marion Cottillard) - "I like baseball, movies, good clothes, fast cars... and you. What else do you need to know?” and sadly Mann seems to take the same attitude towards the rest of the film, the constant and continuing game of cat and mouse between Dillinger and Purvis could have been so much more, it does not really become interesting until the final scenes when Dillinger makes a fool of Purvis who is then spurned to gain his revenge.

Amy V Gathercole