Pubilc Enemies

.net

Directed by Michael Mann

Screenplay by Ronan Bennett and Michael Mann & Ann Biderman
Based on the Book by Bryan Burrough

Cast: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Bill Crudup

Rated R for gangster violence and some language.

Official Website

Opened 7-1-09

John Dillinger is public enemy number one according to the head of the new Bureau of Investigation, J. Edgar Hoover. Hoover intends to use his capture to propel his bureau into a national police force. He assigns his best agent, Melvin Purvis, to bring him in using the scientific techniques that the bureau specializes in. Purvis decides they need gunslingers from the Texas office and hands out machine guns to everyone only to have his special force disappear for most of the film only to return at the end. Dillinger is suave and a hero of the people even though he robs banks throughout the Midwest often shooting them up killing police officers in the process. This film focuses on the relationship between Dillinger and his girlfriend Billie Frechette but it never establishes the characters you never care about them. The hand-held cinematography technique makes it difficult to tell who is who during the shoot-outs, particularly at night. We never learn why Dillinger is a hero to the people and we learn nothing about Purvis or his motivation. Baby Face Nelson might as well be a cartoon character and Alvin Karpis is an afterthought. There are lots of chases and shootouts but they are more confusing than exciting. It is very long and it feels even longer. I wish I had been given a reason or two to root for Dillinger or Purvis instead of checking my watch hoping it will end soon. This is the most disappointing film of the year .

Contact David

Win This Blu-ray

Contact David

My top Ten Films of 2008

Win
Movie Tickets

Trailer

Home

.net

About David

Home