Public Enemies

Director: Michael Mann
Cast: Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillard, Christian Bale, Giovanni Ribisi and Billy Crudup
DVD release: 2 December 2009
Rated: MA15+

 

Shot em up, old style

One of the enduring themes of the cinema (indeed, storytelling in general) is the outlaw as hero. You only have to go back to our own Ned Kelly for a prime example. Of course, the concept has its flip-side, the hero as outlaw (think Batman, Spider-Man and a slew of other comic-book heroes). It’s no surprise then that Public Enemies taps into the idea of the outlaw-hero once again; but in the hands of director Michael Mann, it becomes something pretty special.

Mann is known for his action movies – Heat being the epitome of his work in that particular genre – but is also accomplished in more restrained and thoughtful films like ‘The Insider’. Here, he manages to skilfully blend the two into a work of substance, beauty and more than a little violence.

The primary subject of Public Enemies is John Dillinger, the bank robber who blazed a trail of mayhem across America in the 1930s and who (inadvertently) assisted in the rise of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI as a credible crime-fighting force. There are many similarities between the Dillinger depicted here and another recent film subject, Jesse James. Indeed, there are plenty of similarities between Public Enemies and Andrew Dominik’s The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Those similarities begin with a similar, almost elegaic tone to both films; and continue right through to their respective fascinations with the notion of the criminal as celebrity and their examinations of a world undergoing rapid change.

That’s not to say that this is a carbon copy of …Jesse James by any means. Mann’s film certainly stands on its own two feet as a film of great power and insight. In it, Mann not only creates some memorable characters, but also produces moments of sheer cinematic brilliance. The dazzling climactic scene is pure cinematic genius and worth the price of the DVD alone.

When we first meet Dillinger (Johnny Depp), he’s already a hardened crim, having done a stretch in prison. No sooner has he been released than he’s back to his old tricks, breaking a gang of associates out of jail and embarking on a crime spree that primarily involves robbing banks and skipping over State lines. FBI head J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) is under Congressional pressure over his national crime-fighting force, and soon recognises that the capture of Dillinger would garner him a good deal of much-needed credibility. He recruits Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), the man who took down Pretty Boy Floyd (Channing Tatum) to head his new “Dillinger Taskforce”. Purvis embraces Hoover’s vision of a modern detective force using then-advanced techniques for capturing criminals; but he also recognises that sometimes, plain old cunning and gut instinct also count for a lot. After Dillinger and others outwit the FBI in a series embarrassing incidents, Purvis realises he has to re-focus and re-assess his tactics. For his part however, Dillinger is more intent on assessing the fine form of Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard).

Mann and his screenwriting colleagues Ronan Bennett and Ann Biderman work from Byran Burrough’s book Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34 in bringing Dillinger and his cohorts to the big screen. Those familiar with the history behind the story might quibble with some of the screenwriting choices. Dillinger’s murders, for example, are rather glossed over; as is the true nature of his relationship with Polly Hamilton (Leelee Sobieski) who makes a late appearance in the film. This however is cinema, not history, so I for one don’t put too much stock in historical divergences.

For those with short attention spans, be warned – the film is well over 2 hours long; but there’s not a minute that felt wasted. Mann maintains the story at a fair clip, punctuating his narrative with some stunning action sequences and just a sprinkling of humour.

Being a Michael Mann film, the cast is naturally impressive. Johnny Depp is a world away from the Black Pearl and Willy Wonka as the raffish, street-smart and oddly charming Dillinger. This could be a career-defining role for him. Marion Cotillard, in her first film since winning her Oscar, is once more excellent as Billie. Christian Bale plays Purvis as a very serious individual, which suits the role to a tee. Billy Crudup has some good moments as Hoover; as does Branka Katic in a small but pivotal part. Keep an eye out for Aussie David Wenham and ex-heartthrob Stephen Dorff among the characters; as well as renowned jazz singer Diana Krall who appears as… a jazz singer.

Public Enemies is a wonderful effort from Michael Mann and will surely rank up there with his most important films. This is an inspired and totally involving cinema experience, and one not to be missed.

David Edwards