Rent an old gangster film instead

Rating: Null/10 (20 July 2009)

Public Enemies is an example of style over substance. It looks good and the numerous tommy gun shootouts are okay but that's about all you get with the film. The problem is in the story. Dillinger, played by Johnny Depp, is never explained. We learn nothing about his past. He is portrayed as a ruthless bank robber who thinks nothing of taking out cops with sprays of tommy gun fire, yet is supposed to be kind-hearted to hostages. The mythical psychopath with a heart of gold. Baloney. Depp's natural charisma is totally wasted in the film and his relationship with Marion Cotillard is not interesting. Frankly, Dillinger is a boring character. Christian Bale is Melvin Purvis who is appointed by Billy Crudup (J. Edgar Hoover) to track down Dillinger. This storyline is not interesting, as say in the Fugitive where Tommy Lee Jones and Harrison Ford play an interesting game of cat and mouse. Not in this film. Even the Hoover role is not developed. The significance of Dillinger, according to the film, is that his string of bank robberies helped in the formation of the FBI, which didn't exist previously, but the historical backdrop is not explored which could have made a good movie in itself. So we are left with multiple story lines and no details. Public Enemies is not in the same league as The Godfather or any of the Martin Scorcese films or any of the Edward G. Robinson or James Cagney gangster films. Save your money and rent an old gangster film instead. Not recommended.
Johnny Depp ... John Dillinger
Christian Bale ... Melvin Purvis
Billy Crudup ... J. Edgar Hoover
Marion Cotillard ... Billie Frechette