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Public Enemies

“Public Enemies” follows John Dillinger’s infamous bank robbing career while he’s being pursued by Melvin Purvis, the head of J. Edgar Hoover’s new Federal Bureau of Investigation. Johnny Depp plays the dashing bandit, Dillinger, who was widely known for his extremely quick and successful bank robberies. The people’s distrust in the banks due to the Great Depression made him a public hero even as he became the FBI’s first Public Enemy Number One.

With his tight circle of associates, prison-escaping skills and the public on his side, Dillinger seemed virtually unstoppable. And with pressure coming down on him to capture the criminal, Purvis (Christian Bale) is forced to employ desperate and dirty tactics in order to have any chance of ending Dillinger’s spree.

Many critics have complained about the lack of any clear theme in “Public Enemies.” However, this could be seen as one of the film’s greatest assets, rather than a flaw. After all, it is based on historical events. Yes, it does seem like just a bunch of events that happened for no particular reason. That’s precisely what it was, and what most people’s lives consist of. The fact that there was no real theme, no lesson, no moral in “Public Enemies” gave it a feeling of realism, and reminded its audience that John Dillinger was just a person, not a character, just like anyone else.

Movies do not need themes to be complete, and breaking away from the traditional formulas of storytelling that demand themes only makes this film stand out.

Another complaint of the critics is that the film romanticized John Dillinger. But didn’t the real John Dillinger romanticize himself? Part of his strategy was to make the public love him. However, it’s true that the FBI agents were definitely villainized. Those who have seen “Public Enemies” may recall the fairly ridiculous cruelty of the man who interrogated Dillinger’s girlfriend, Billie.

And who wouldn’t admire Michael Mann’s representation of the 1930s? The clothes and props are perfect, and some of the script is surprisingly true to its time period, such as when Billie’s worst insult to her tormentor is to call him “fat boy” rather than swearing at him. How ladylike.

All in all, “Public Enemies” is a solid film that deserves praise, although the only award it should get should go to Johnny Depp, who did an amazing job, as usual.

Written by: Lindsey Weedston

Reviewers Rating: 7.5
Reader's Rating: 8.00
Reader's Votes: 1

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