Dillinger : Public Enemy #1

In Public Enemies, no one can stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail can hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone—from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang—later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi)—thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.’’ However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts.

One of my most anticipated movies for 2009 that doesn't feature a man with claws coming out of his hands or giants robots hanging with Shia LaBeouf is Public Enemies. I mean with Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and director Michael Mann all working together on a gangster drama, it's just gotta be quality, right? Tuesday night here in Chicago the World Premiere was held where my partner and I got to see the stars up close and personal, but was the movie worth the wait? You'll have to read on to find out...

I went to see the screening of Public Enemies, the new film by Micheal Mann starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. The movie is about the "public enemy era" of the 1930's during the great depression, and focuses on the famed gangster/bank robber John Dillinger, played by Depp, and the man sent to capture him Melvin Purvis, played by Bale. The movie also included a vague side story of how the FBI was formed into what it is today. The film starts off in 1933 with the prison break that Dillinger planned and executed, almost flawlessly. The movie starts with some action and bloodshed which in my opinion is always a good way to get the movie started. We then follow the newly acquired Dillinger gang to a hide away. At this point, Mann, introduces Pervis, while he is trying to apprehend a famed gangster "pretty boy" Floyd (a quick cameo by up and coming star Channing Tatum). After Purvis has done his job he is commissioned by J. Edger Hoover to head the man hunt for Dillinger. We also learn of the governments doubts about the FBI and J. Edger Hoover's involvement. The film continues to follow the chase for Dillinger, and his many exploits that include the famous photograph in which he puts his arm around the prosecuting attorney. His escape from jail with a gun he carved out of a bar of soap. It all ends outside the Biograph Theater where Purvis and his hired help shot and killed Dillinger in the alley next to the theater after this brothel associate gives him up in hopes to avoid deportation.

  

Micheal Mann has found his perfect blend of drama and action in this picture. As well as he combined his style of handy cam, and set shots. All and all, it was his best film yet. Johnny Depp gets more and more outstanding as an actor every film he makes. Christian Bale, is as he always is... awesome (did anybody else see Dark Knight or American Psycho?). There are tons of cameo's from stars that you'll recognize but can't think of their names off the top of your heads. I would be surprised if this film doesn't make it's run as a might contender for the best picture of the year in 2009. With such acting like this, I won't really need to see anything else this summer. This is definitely the one to beat as the best of the summer movies. This gets a 5 on my "Go See" scale, no doubt about it.