Public Enemies (2009)

Cautiously Recommended

USA/Japan

Feature Film

Director: Michael Mann

Writers: Ronan Bennett, Ann Biderman, Michael Mann, Bryan Burrough

Cinematographer: Dante Spinotti

Composer: Elliot Goldenthal

Cast: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup, Stephen Dorff, Stephen Lang, Stephen Graham, Channing Tatum, Jason Clarke, David Wenham, Branka Katic

Mann’s handsome, diverting film does a good job of capturing the surface detail of its biographical tale, but does less well when it comes to delving beneath the surface of its protagonists, as it depicts the FBI’s pursuit of the folk hero, bank robber, vicious thug, and public enemy no. 1 John Dillinger through depression hit 1930s America. Iain.Stott