So far, summer 2009 has been dominated by a hollow slew of dazzling, big-budget science-fiction spectacles made for the eyes and not for the brain. Chances are you've been scratching your head as robots pulverise each other against a conglomerated orgy of explosions, nervously looking at your watch as you wonder what's going on - 'at least it looks good' you say.
Therefore you may be surprised to hear that Public Enemies is not only one of the best films of the summer but also one of the most technically adept too. An electrifying feast for the senses, it's an ambitious attempt to breathe life into the tale of John Dillinger, an accomplished bank robber who led a fourteen-month assault on the financial system in depression-era America. His daring escapades quickly led to him becoming a Robin Hood figure and the most wanted man in the USA in the process. The immensely charismatic Johnny Depp plays Dillinger as an ultimately tragic figure, a criminal who knew that the good times couldn't last forever but was having too much fun living life by his own rules.
The film starts with Dillinger being released from prison after a long stretch, only to immediately break back in to bust out his gang. What follows is one audacious robbery after another as Dillinger constantly evades arrest while gaining personal attention from FBI supremo J.Edgar Hoover and his merry band of G-men (led by the ever-intense Christian Bale), an iconic bunch of lawmen whose heavy-handed practices were arguably criminal themselves.
Despite fine acting from both Depp and Bale, each both clearly enjoying their roles outside their studio-backed franchises, the real star here is Michael Mann's bold direction. By choosing to film in digital HD rather than traditional celluloid, each frame of the film is packed with a vibrant immediacy that gives the film an unexpected raw edge. The faux-documentary style fuels each scene with atmosphere and tension - this isn't a film about the 1930's, this feels like the 1930's. It's a towering technical accomplishment that, despite its lengthy running-time, cruises along with a confident swagger and a deft sly wit. Armed with a strong supporting cast and some of the best action-sequences of the year, it's top class film-making all the way. Place your bets on Public Enemies garnering attention come awards season.
Jonny Dawson
