Public Enemies is a journey back in time. It is a tale of great Americana. Michael Mann's camera "searchlights" and final shots are a directorial marvel.

Rating: 10/10 (7 August 2009)

Now this is not a movie that most women like. I do not want to sound like a misogynistic prick, but it is true. Little women will not like this movie, can not like this movie. Some chicks and bored housewives made the mistake to watch it in the hopes of some sufficient drooling over Johnny's magnificent behind, or Christian Bales' newly trained abs. Maybe see some skin, and aspire for a sweltering hot sex scene!!! Oh their frustration. Sorry ladies, wrong movie. This is the real thing. But is not just tough men, bank Robberies, lots of shooting and blood. No, it is much more than that.
Public Enemies is a journey back in time. It is a tale of great Americana. Michael Mann's camera "searchlights" and final shots are a directorial marvel. Every shot is well thought and delivered flawlessly. There is no big story, no long dialogs, no great action lines. Little attention is given to "the depression" as the story flies over the lyrical dancing of the camera. The script is weak, but the magic is in the picture. Like a great piece of music with few lyrics. And talking about music. Mr. Man's ingenious strikes you hard the way he uses music. The right moment, that moment, the perfect moment. And Billie Holyday's voice comes to complete the trip under your skin.
Although there are a lot of actors worth mentioning in this film, like Giovanni Ribisi (whom I by the way adore) as Alvin Karpis, Billy Crudup (exceptional talent) as J. Edgar Hoover, or the lovely Marion Cotillard, as Billie Frechette; I'd like to settle my comments on my two favorite actors. Christian Bale's fierce power in every twitch on his face. He descends into the part - even though small – and makes it his own. Only his presence tells a story, his body language his charisma. A right choice for the part. A right choice.
Johnny Depp. One of the parts he played in his fingers like a silver dollar. Not Oscar worthy perhaps, (even though he deserves it  again) but a faultless one none the less. No effort. No over-acting. No wavering. Real. Touching. Beautiful. Poetic. Like the movie.
Now, this was the second movie I saw within a month about America's most infamous criminals. (The other being The Assassination of Jessie James) Both men had something in common. People loved them. They had this Robin Hood attitude that made them who they are and kept their place in history. And they were both caught not by their pursuers but because they were betrayed by their own. The movies have something in common as well. They are both describing with not so many words, the heart of America. From their innermost poetic nature, to what it could have been, should have been, must have been. Movie enthusiasts and especially to this genre are going to enjoy every moment of it. Such elegance, such integrity, such visuals!
Michael Mann has chosen right in every possible aspect of this film. All the actors riveted into his direction. Into his close ups and almost ceremonial frames. The chase scenes fascinating, the violence brutal yet emotional. The shooting, the machine guns, the intensity of bloody scenes, the roughness of times, the disloyalty. A two-and-a half-hour movie that seemed too short.
The clothes and sets. Magnificent! Astounding! Splendid! The city looks so authentic; a slight sigh of longing can burst out of your chest. All those cars, all those beautiful, gorgeous cars!!! From the guns to the traffic lights. From the shoes to all those magnificent haircuts. These people did an admirable job!!! I applaud!
Michael Mann's use of colors is mystical. You sink into the movie as if intoxicated by some heavenly drug and for some moments you think there are no colors, but they are all there, assorted perfectly in this great trip, this great movie, this great classic (to be), this great Americana!!!
If Michael Mann is not leaving with an Oscar this year I will eat my hat.