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RSSImpeccable look and performances in ‘Public Enemies’
Cert 15
Action/Thriller/Romance
Writer-director Michael Mann’s film is a biopic of American Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger and his team of men who operated on the fringes of the law.
Dillinger (Johnny Depp) and his associate ‘Red’ Hamilton (Jason Clarke) spring a number of their cohorts from Indiana State Penitentiary, including Harry Pierpoint (David Wenham) and Homer Van Meter (Stephen Dorff).
They head for Chicago and rob banks, forcing J Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) to enlist the services of tenacious agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) to hunt down Dillinger and prove the power of the fledgling Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Purvis recruits old school G-men like Agent Charles Winstead (Lang) to provide wise counsel for the inexperienced squad. While the gang continues to hit the headlines, especially when the sociopath Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) joins its ranks, Dillinger makes the fatal mistake of falling in love with Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard).
‘Public Enemies’ masterfully evokes the era with impeccable production design and costumes.
Depp brings a roguish charm to his pivotal role, kindling smouldering screen chemistry with the luminous Cotillard.
Star Rating: 3/5.
