PUBLIC ENEMIES (REVIEW)
Notorious
gangster John Dillinger is a man under stress - not that you would know it as
within minutes of being let out of jail in the opening scene, he is breaking back
in. It's a daring raid, but only the beginning to a super charged thriller that
redefines the Robin Hood heroism, but with a tommy gunn.
It's
1933, time of the great U.S depression. America was awash with criminal elements,
nowhere was it more prevalent than Chicago with Al Capone facing tax evasion charges
and Bonnie & Clyde making headlines. Johnny Depp plays Dillinger - s cocky
and confident public enemy #1 but also a hero of retaliation to the people.
The
first ever F.B.I is formed and led by a determined agent Melvin Purvis (Christian
Bale). His target is Dillinger at any cost. They only meet once in the film, across
opposite sides of steel bars, but they are very similar men, just with different
agendas. The hunter and hunted scenario provides a tense cat & mouse effect
which sets off regular bullet symphonies in many glorious action sequences. The
gunfights and shootouts in some moments are so realistic, you think your actually
there. Full credit to director Michael Mann, no stranger to the genre having accomplished
similar gritty firepower moments in 'Heat' and 'Miami Vice'.
Depp
is an actor's actor. He again is magnificent, totally transformed into JD. He's
a self protective individual but proves he has a warm heart when the shutters
come down in a few rare moments with his love interest played by Oscar winner
for 'La Vie en Rose', Marion Cotillard. As the mob moll wannabe, she becomes so
focussed and is so honest within on her feelings for Dillinger that in a scene
in which she is interrogated by a ruthless agent, the result is terrifying.
Christian
Bale is his intense self but powerful as the man who will do anything to prove
Dillinger is a cold hearted killer - not a smiling hero like the public think.
The eventual downfall looms but getting there is the exciting part. Look fast
for Australian actor David Wenham - he has a few lines but not too many close
ups as one of Dillinger's gang members. While another talented Aussie Emilie DeRaven
of televisions 'Lost', also appears briefly in a conflicting scene.
It
is also interesting to see other criminals of the era such as Pretty Boy Floyd
and how they react or relate to Dillinger on their territorial tough turf. While
the accuracy of history may be stretched at times, the period elements are absolutely
precise - costumes, cars, weaponry - even the films showing in the local cinemas
- while the look of the streets is a credit to the cinematography.
Based
on the 2004 best selling book by Bryan Burrough, what a superior film version
it has turned out to be. Fantastic all round - a must see.
Shane
A. Bassett
