Public Enemies (2009) | dir. Michael Mann | 140 min  | USA
Guest Contribution by DJ Nphared

As a fan of Michael Mann’s work, I went into Public Enemies with a certain bias. I’ve always enjoyed Mann’s films, especially his crime dramas, due to their ability to encompass the characters deep within their surroundings. The set designs and locations are never a letdown, and his unique style of shooting, with his use of non-traditional techniques, either raise the level of the performance from the actors (Heat), or offer consolation when they fail to rise to the occasion (Miami Vice).

Public Enemies is based upon the height of John Dillinger’s criminal career. Portrayed by Johnny Deep, Dillinger is hunted by Melvin Purvis, played by Christian Bale. The film presents the classic cops and robbers tale between Dillinger and his ilk against Purvis, newly appointed FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and the G-men.

Johnny Deep offers a brilliant portrayal of John Dillinger as a highly charismatic, confident and intelligent individual. Depp perfectly keys in on the time period in which Dillinger operated, The Great Depression, where criminals were often romanticized and inherited a good amount of celebrity with their brazen disdain for the law. Dillinger is very mindful of his public appearance, rejecting an offer for a kidnapping plot because “the public doesn’t like kidnappings”. He poses for pictures at an improptu press conference during one of his bookings and smirks at his picture being shown during the movie news reel, after hiding nervously at first. Hoover is determined to get these criminals at any cost, and the film alludes to his well documented willingness to bend rules in order to do so. Purvis is resistant to these methods and does not approve of the tactics other G-men implement, many of which are hot button topics in the world we live in today.

Public Enemies is a sleek, well executed film, that offers more than just bank robberies and shoot outs. Depp is brilliant in his role, and Bale does a respectable job in holding his own opposite what amounts to a show stealing performance. Mann provides more excellent visuals, with great locales, costume design and sets that look authentically like the Chicago and mid-west of the 30′s. Banks, courtrooms and government buildings are shown as newly built, modern cathedrals with lavish and dramatic styling. The action sequences are gripping, with great uses of hand held shots to engage the audience into the chaos of the moment.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Public Enemies finds its way into the Oscar’s now doubled list of nominees of Best Picture, and I would expect to find Johnny Depp on the receiving end of his fourth Best Actor nomination. Hands down, he IS this movie, but outside of him, there is still more than enough substance within the supporting cast to carry the film when he’s not onscreen.

Chris Torres (aka DJ Nphared) is a DJ/Producer from Seattle, WA and can be seen onstage alongside Grynch and Spaceman respectfully. His production work can be listened to at www.djnphared.com.