Hollywood Product: Public Enemies (1)
GENRE: Cops-and-robbers period piece
THE PITCH: In 1933, celebrity outlaw John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) robs banks and eludes the pursuit of the FBIs Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), who grows disenchanted with the investigative techniques championed by an oily J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup).
MONEY SHOTS: Director Michael Mann doesnt shortchange audiences hoping for bravura action scenes. Dillinger and his gang blast their way out of prison in the opening set piece. Purvis sharp-shooting brings down Pretty Boy Floyd in a gorgeous apple orchard. Dillinger makes an even more thrilling jailbreak at the films half-way point. Tommyguns blaze after the feds ambush and chase Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham). At a movie theater, everyone in the audience — except Dillinger — looks right, then left, to see if Public Enemy No. 1 is in its midst.
BEST LINE: When one of Dillingers gang asks, “Who cares what the public thinks?” Dillinger replies, “I do — I hide out among em.” The film broaches the idea of violent criminals as folk heroes, but doesnt do much with it.
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(Image courtesy Peter Mountain/© 2009 Universal Studios)