Public Enemies (2009)

The film Public Enemies released in 2009 seems to have revived the good old Hollywood tradition of gangster movies revolving around a sophisticated and very dangerous, though rather cute, criminal pursued by a clever policeman. No matter how prepossessing the criminal is, rough justice always crowns such films. Michael Mann who is often referred to as the king of adult action movies decided to touch upon the story of John Dillinger, one of the best-known US gangsters of the 30s. Public Enemies is the screen adaptation of the book "Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI" written by Bryan Burrough in 1933-34.

In the conditions of the Great Depression the FBI declares the first national "War on Crime". John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) and his dashing gang are hunted by the best federal agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale). However, for many average Americans Dillinger and his bank robbers are almost national heroes because the banks are accused of having provoked the Depression. Mann reveals a very scrupulous approach to work: there are more then 20 historical persons in the movie, all places of shooting correspond to those of real events. Johnny Depp falls down on that very pavement where Dillinger had fallen dead.

The main storyline revolves around the clash of the titans - Dillinger and Purvis. In fact, none of them is a hero and none is a villain. Dillinger is certainly far from being a new Robin Hood, but Depp managed to create a rather attractive personage. As for Purvis, he is not at all a bad guy, a great professional devoted to his job, always ready to kill and to die for it.

There is no doubt than Johnny Depp is an unbelievable actor, one of the best in Hollywood, and that he can live up all his characters whatever they are. But in the last years we have seen too many charming but freaky personages played by Depp. If we remember his latest works we'll find here Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Alice in Wonderland and many more. He even had an experience of lending his voice for Rango. Of course he is the master of odd and extravagant images and we all love Captain Jack Sparrow, Willy Wonka and the Mad Hatter with all our hearts, but many spectators have already forgotten how handsome and fascinating the personality of Johnny Depp is. And in the Public Enemies we see no one but him, that charming and intellectual Johnny, who didn't even have to change his name. Even if we look at Dillinger's photo we'll notice striking similarity – the same saucy grin, the same bold gaze in the eyes… The critics are united in the opinion that John Dillinger is absolutely his role and no one else could ever depict the most impudent bank robber of all times better than Depp. This hero reveals the most attractive sides of Johnny's personality – stylish, daring and charming woman's crumpet.

Billie Frechette, Dillinger's girlfriend, is played by Marion Cotillard. The young French actress seems to have finally consolidated her positions in Hollywood. Her lucid mind and elegant French beauty will soon apparently get the status of a new trend. The slight shade of fatality is her greatest zest, which was later especially emphasized in the Inception.

Public Enemies are often compared to another Michael Mann's drama movie Heat (1995) released under the slogan "A Los Angeles crime saga", and most filmgoers would lean to the opinion that this time the director has exceeded himself.

The movie doesn't lack anything; you can find there everything you like: love, humor, action and drama. The fact that it is based on real story makes the film especially sharp and interesting. It ranks a high position in the list of movies produced in 2009. All in all, the verdict is that Public Enemies is a clever and exciting gangster thriller of a very high quality, and it is absolutely worth seeing.