STARRING JOHNNY DEPP, MARION COTILLARD
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL MANN
A period gangster film set in the Great Depression, Public Enemies is directed by style-meister Michael Mann in a pointedly non-period way. Shot on high-definition video, cinematographer Dante Spinotti’s energetic and hand-held camerawork belies the carefully designed sets, costumes and colour palette from which the film is constructed.
Nominally the story of bank-robber turned folk hero John Dillinger (Depp) and his mad love for his hatcheck-girl lover, Billie Frechette (Coitillard), the film seems more interested in exploring the rivalry between the gangster and Melvin Purvis (a tightly wound and internalised performance by Christian Bale), the United States Bureau of Investigation (later FBI) agent ordered to track Dillinger down. A scene in which the two man banter tersely from behind bars is expertly and subtly acted, although Mann’s obsession with style over substance means that Purvis – like too many of the characters – is never really developed. Depp, however, is excellent; portraying a dapper gentleman who charms the public even as he uses hostages as human shields.
In crafting Public Enemies so exactingly, Mann has created a carefully stylised arthouse take on the gangster film that entertains, but which never quite gets the pulse racing.
Rating: Three and a half stars
Public Enemies is now showing on general release.
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