Johny Depp is back and how! Public enemies brings Depp and Christian Bale in a biography of one of the coolest bank robbers of America. Set in the 1930s, this crime/drama is a power packed film,though slightly diluted due to its slightly longer running time(around 140 minutes).
The story is very basic, Depp(as John Dillnger) and his group of men are bank robbers going around robbing banks and running away from the police, who are trying their best to entrap and catch them as soon as possible.There is actually not much time given to show how they plan or execute the robbery but its more of how they are surviving from the police after it.
One of the integral parts of the film lies in the romantic angle between Depp and Marion Cotillard(Billie in the film).It is the romance which keeps Dillinger looking for more in life and the best moments in the film come when the lead pair share screen space together; there is something genuine and honest in their performances. Proceedings get heavy as the police gets closer to catching the robbers and things get harder for Depp to keep away for them. The film gradually builds upto the finale with a bait in position. The ending is certainly a high for the film, it is more subtle than you expect it to be after there are lots of shooting and assault sequences earlier in the film.
Depp leads the way in terms of screen space and performance.Once again,he becomes the character and his expressions and nuances are expressive.I feel sorry for Christian Bale who got sidelined, i think it was the offer of working with Depp that he took up this film.The dialogues deserve a special mention,they are solid and witty at places.
Not probably a film to watch on a weekend with lots of friends,but certainly one for good cinema lovers!
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Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
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