Public Enemies (2009)

Its very difficult to avoid Public enemies because it has got high level precision and clarity.There are many things which the movie lacks for a great movie but surely this one is up the charts for Michael Mann .Public enemies is the life of John Dellinger,the Maverick Bank robber.

The movie happens during the great depression and John Dillinger targets the rich banks for his hunt and he does it with style and accuracy.He is so dominant that his actions makes mockery over the American security.Melvin Purvis(Christian Bale) is the man to get Dillinger .The movie shows the FBI’s initiative to incorporate scientific, data-driven methods into its mission.

Johnny Depp looks like Original Dillinger and he even smiles like him.Johny Depp’s portrayal is sensual,stylish and powerful.He gives the balance to his robbery and his romance with his girl Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard),Christian Bale is aggressive and motivated but we don’t know any thing other his mission to get Dillinger.Dillinger is self created and true outlaw whereas Melvin is a systematic agent which makes a obvious combination of real rivalry between them.But Mann didn’t want both of them to look like Abagnal and Carl Hanratty.This is not a cat and mouse game but a serious officer’s mission and very intelligent Robber’s journey.

Too much of details and study makes the movie to miss some of the very visible information for the viewer.Melvin Purvis character lacks the grip we are unable to expect anything else from him other than getting Dillinger.We find difficulty in locating who’s who in the earlier part of the movie till the movie settles down.

Once the movie settles we get the experience of the Dante Spinotti’s HD camerawork! Shaking camera and visuals which are really a different experience.But it creates mess in some parts before we get used to the actual intensity of the visuals.The visuals are sleek and very lucid but don’t know during loud gun battles the camera looses its projection and we hardly find comfort in those scenes.Audibility is also a problem in the live recording.But Mann’s study and clarity in his works for aesthetics is amazing and gripping which makes this movie a violent battle between two antagonists

Melivin’s trap to get Dillinger is a gripping moment and defines the movie overall.It tells the character of Dillinger in a manner which answers every thing about the powerful public Enemy who lived in 30’s.This may not be the best of Depp’s performance but this will remain remarkable for his accurate portrayal of John Dillinger.