PUBLIC ENEMIES (2009)

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"What keeps you up nights, Mr. Dillinger? Coffee. "

Public enemies is everything you want it to be exhilarating, thrilling, exciting, entertaining, and suspensful. I never read the book based on the film and never really knew much about Dillinger before I saw the film. But, the night that I saw the movie, the first thing I did was research Dillinger on my coumputer. I was that interested. Now let's get to the film.

The Acting: Johnny depp (as usual) gives a stunning performance as notorious bank robber, Public Enemy No. 1, John Dillinger. Depp becomes Dillinger and sinks into his role. He is perfect for the role. Dillinger is a cool, cold hearted guy. He is calm and very confident and thinks he will always be on top. This is certainly an Oscar worthy perfromance from Depp. Christian Bale plays FBI agent Melvin Purvis. Purvis was chosen by the head of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover. Bale gives a decent performance, nothing spectacualar. But It is a big bounce from his one of his worst performances in Terminator Salavation. Marion Cotillard plays Billie Frechette, Dillinger's girlfriend. There is not much chemistry from the these two characters but she still gives it her all. And she turns out to be very good.

The Directing: I have seen every Michael Mann crime film and am used to his choice of style. However, Public Enemies is shot in a different style. And it is very effective. People are questioning, Why would Mann insist on shooting on cheap digital cameras. I thought the picture was crisp and clear, and very realistic. And it certainly did not distract me from the screen. Michael Mann is my favorite director and Public Enemies is another fantastic film. Mann should be up in the air come the Academy's. The action sequences in the film are awesome. The scene in the woods to the shooting scene outside the bank. It is exhilarating and extremely well directed. No one can do crime like Mann.

The story might not be all fact but there will always (or most likely) be some changes or additions that are made. And that does not hurt the screenplay. Public Enemies had everything I wanted and expected it to have. My expectations were very high and it reached that level. I know people will not like this film and some may disagree with me. That is perfectly fine. But I loved the film.

Gansgter/Crime Drama films interest me the most. Im Wiseguy what did you expect. If your walking into the theater and thinking this will be the next "Godfather" or "Goodfellas", WRONG. You will defiently be disappointed if your one of those imbeciles. Overall, Public Enemies is a fantastic film and succeds to be yet another brilliant addition to Mann's works of art. Public Enemies is not only the best movie of the summer, but the best of the year. And come Oscars this will be a major contender. (Hopefully.)