Public Enemies
Exuding an old-school gangster style, Public Enemies is an instant classic. It tells the story of John Dillinger, Public Enemy #1, bank robber, and cultural icon of the first half of the 20th century. Given his iconic status, any good film about his life, about his world, about him, should not only reflect that, but should, in a sense, be iconic. Michael Mann’s Public Enemies does just that, with elements of black-and-white classics, emotionally infused but healthy and well-written melodrama, and a substantial dose of great acting.
Michael Mann’s style is straight-forward and adorned only with appropriate and subtle touches of style typical of an auteur. Much of the film is shot in close-ups, where the only thing in frame are the actors’ faces, most notably their eyes. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then this film allows us to peer into the souls of several very influential characters in the history of 20th century America. But that only works with fantastic actors. Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Billy Crudup, James Russo, and Stephen Graham, among others, make up the near-perfect cast of characters, allowing exactly that, a window into the souls of their characters. A famous actor once said, “Acting deals with very delicate emotions. It is not putting up a mask. Each time an actor acts he does not hide; he exposes himself.”
The story is widely known, but not well known. John Dillinger, like Baby Face Nelson or any of the other gangsters of the early 20th century, has a following. But the following is more in the idea of the person than in the person himself. This film tries to capture both. The idea is a cultural icon; the person is a human being. Johnny Depp seems possessed by the spirit of Dillinger. Bale’s shows us Melvin Purvis’s impetuous side as well as his possibly misunderstood genius for uncovering criminals.
This film is a rarity: it combines many of the aspects of what I have defined as a “movie” while living up to the demands of a “film.” To be pithy: it both entertains and enlightens. If you see one big movie this summer, make it this one. It is well worth the money, time, and energy you will put into it. The investment in the story, the people, and the world of John Dillinger is, whether or not exactly historically correct, both absorbing and irresistible.
Rating: 3.5/4 Stars