Thursday, 2 July 2009

• Prev
• Next

Films Fans

Holly Arnold

Johnny Depp + Christian Bale = Public Enemies

Powerhouse actors pitted against each other for new Michael Mann epic

Johnny Depp plays real-life robber John Dillinger

What do you get if you combine quirky favourite Johnny Depp with action hero of the moment Christian Bale and throw in a touch of Oscar-winning class courtesy of French beauty Marion Cotillard?

Two words: Public Enemies.

Public Enemies tells the real-life tale of infamous bank robber John Dillinger and his reign as a Robin Hood-style icon in the 1930s depression riddled America.

Johnny Depp takes on the role of charming gangster Dillinger with ease as he works his way into the hearts of the nation and the bed of doe-eyed Billie Frenchette (Marion Cotillard).

After being declared Public Enemy No 1, Dillinger is pursued in a dramatic (if slightly long) game of cat-and-mouse by the dashing FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale).

Shot on DV the film gives a the period a fresh look – with the handheld shots and realistic sound making it seem almost documentary-like at times.

Christian Bale isn’t stretched by his good-guy role and while Marion Cotillard makes an essentially two-dimensional role stand out, this is Johnny Depp’s film. Charming and charismatic, he makes you admire Dillinger even as he is enacting the most deadly of crimes.

While a little heavy on the gun-front for many girls to take (a friend literally cowered in her seat at the sheer volume of the shots), Public Enemies still takes time out from the action to tell a story in an interesting, unique and compelling way.

Not just for the boys, Public Enemies not only gives us a chance to see Mr Depp in action, it also gives us a rare, detailed look at a fascinating period in history.

An instant classic.

4/5

SEE PICTURES All the stars at the Public Enemies premiere in London>>

SEE VIDEO All the red carpet action from the Public Enemies premiere in London>>

Public Enemies in is cinemas now.