As cruel as it may be, it is hard not to compare Michael Mann’s new film to his cops and robbers classic, Heat. And, surprisingly, Public Enemies holds up quite well. It lacks the lyricism and depth that makes Heat so rewatchable, but as a straightforward action-drama it works exceedingly well.
Public Enemies tells the tale of John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) as he robs banks during the Great Depression. Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), an up-and-comer at, what was soon to be, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is entrusted by J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) to hunt Dillinger. While there is a lot of details in the background about organised crime, the FBI, and many other notorious characters from the period, the thrust of the narrative deals with the cat and mouse between Dillinger and Purvis.
Many of the minor roles are filled out by familiar faces who perform admirably. In particular, Stephen Lang, who has a major role in Jim Cameron’s upcoming Avatar, makes an impression in the final act of the picture. However, it is Johnny Depp and Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose) that give the film soul. The chemistry between the two is haunting and enriches Depp’s excellent performance.
Much was said during production about the choice to shoot the film in digital; particularly due to the film’s period setting. Superman Returns proved that digital cinematography can be lush and romantic but Mann opts for a different approach for Enemies. In some cases the shots look quite ugly with the background blurring into a mess of indistinct browns and greys while the foreground is harshly focussed. But, for the most part, it gives the film a vibrant immediacy that invigorates the meticulously staged action scenes. And, when it needs to be, it offers a rich tapestry for the romance to play against.
Public Enemies offers a simple yet compelling narrative against a beautifully detailed backdrop. And, it is nice to see that you can still get an action film with a large serving of intelligence on the side. You would be crazy to miss it!
