Public Enemies

2009, 134 minutes
Dir. Michael Mann
Rating: [R16]
Genres: Action/Adventure / Gangsters

Topics: Period 1930s.

Feat. Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillard, Christian Bale, Stephen Graham, James Russo, David Wenham, Channing Tatum, Billy Crudup, Stephen Lang

Aroview: Michael Mann transposes the cops-and-robbers psychology of HEAT to depression-era America in this ambitious, if at times inadequate remounting of the John Dillinger gangster legend.

Chronicling an exciting series of shootouts, prison breaks, and bank heists, Mann’s action movie philosophy is steadfast in its insistence on realism over spectacle, although one might argue it’s taken to an unnecessary extreme with the anachronistic use of digital photography. A distracting directorial choice to say the least, somewhat offset by Depp’s smouldering charisma, a few curious short-lived cameos (namely, Billy Crudrup as J. Edgar Hoover), and an admirable sense of the ‘unglamorous’.

Member Reviews

Average rating (Good Enough). Showing 1-3 of 4 member reviews.

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3 stars (Good Enough) Mann keeps doing his own thing, and the film is at least unique in that respect. However, Public Enemies never quite lives up to the hype, despite some good performances, action sequences, and believable set pieces. ~Tom H
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3 stars (Good Enough) Well, he left the cinematographer, the production designer and the actors to their own devices and had a holiday...hard to believe this is the director of 'Manhunter' and 'Heat'. A disappointment. ~HiFi
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2 stars (Good Try) Impressive attention to detail in props and set designs. It shouldn't have taken over 2hrs to tell a straight forward story though. The acting talent on display not really tested.Everyone had a hat and a machine gun so it was hard to pick who was who. ~Tubbs