Historical? Not much. An amazing shoot em up gangster pic to entertain? Bullseye!!

Rating: 9/10 (23 August 2009)

I wasn't sure how to take Public Enemies from trailers and from critics opinions. On the way hand was this a historical film about a real character and his life and death along the lines of a biography or was this simply an action flick, a Johnny Depp vehicle that simply pulls from history to make an entertaining mainstream movie that is meant to get your blood pumping. Public Enemies is absolutely the latter. So much is being said about the historical accuracy of the film and who cares? I didn't go see this film to learn the true story of John Dillinger, I went to be entertained and this film delivered on so many levels. The drama was heavy, the acting well performed and the shoot outs and action scenes were just incredible. The film also held nothing back from being a gritty and intensely violent film which means it holds it's own in the gangster/mob genre of films. Best of all no one character was held above the character of John Dillinger because he is the focus of the film. Also perhaps some or most of the film is not historically accurate but in reading a little bit about Dillinger and that time period some of it most definitely is including the bloody climax which was filmed in the actual location of Dillinger's death.
Johnny Depp is perhaps one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood from Willy Wonka, to Captain Jack and now to John Dillinger. His suave appearance and screen charisma is perfect for this role. He carries the film with his usual ease and makes the character come to life in brilliant clarity. Award worthy perhaps? A real surprise in this film was the ever present Christian Bale who I am not an enormous fan of. Bale is not only tolerable but he is not overused and actually gives a good solid performance as Melvin Purvis, Dillinger's number one pursuer. I thought for sure Bale would try his utmost to outshine Depp and they would fight for screen time and ego but Bale takes a back seat with ease and turns in a solid supporting role! And he barely growls which automatically gives him points. There is a large and significant supporting cast including Channing Tatum in a decent role as Pretty Boy Floyd and who also gets the opportunity to star in one of the best death scenes I've ever seen in movies. However, no one person from the supporting cast stands out above the two Hollywood heavyweights Bale and Depp.
Director Michael Mann needed this film for my books because after what was hands down one of the worst films I've ever seen Miami Vice he needed redemption and this was definitely it. Mann is one of those directors that thinks he has this ultimate artistic style and he has to make everything with this sporadic and chaotic filming and fortunately he played that down for Public Enemies to give the film the proper 1930's feel. Although certainly he got his style during the gun battles. Sometimes the style works and sometimes it doesn't. He tells a great story and no matter what one thinks of Michael Mann he knows gritty and it works for this movie to the max. Action, suspense, romance, history, gun fights and mobsters...if any of these things appeal to you then you must see this movie. I didn't know what to expect and you might not either but you will be blown away. This is one summer blockbuster that was a genuine and welcome surprise. 9/10