I am shocked that this doesn't have an Oscar Nomination

Rating: 8/10 (20 February 2010)

Public Enemies is one of the best films of 2009. Michael Mann directs this film with his usual brilliance. The performances by Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, et al, are exceedingly good. It is Mann's direction that takes the cake though and it is indeed shocking that this film did not receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Film and Best Director instead of the mediocre The Hurt Locker. For me this is Michael Mann's best film since Heat. Everything is handled with such care which is difficult to do, considering that this is a period film.Johnny Depp gives one of his best performances as John Dillinger. Christian Bale impresses with each new film of his. His performance as Melvin Purvis is suitably restrained. The screenplay is one of the strong points of this film. The shootouts are exhilarating without being unrealistic. Watch out for that superb sequence involving a shootout at a lodge. Finally, watch the film if you are a Michael Mann fan like me or just a movie buff.You'll not regret it. Trust me.