Reviews: Public Enemies

Reviews: Public Enemies

With a suave Johnny Depp making a rare appearance as an actor in a role rather than a piece of décor, there is definitely going to be a measurable constituency for Public Enemies, Michael Mann’s frequently taut but ultimately unsatisfying new gangster picture. One person who shouldn’t be cheering though (unless he has profit participation) is Bryan Burrough, whose revisionist history of the Depression-era gangster Mann based his film on. For there were two things that made Burrough’s book a radical departure from previous compendiums of gangster lore. One was an adamant refusal to glamorize stick-up men and kidnappers as much more than nihilistic thugs. The other was Burrough’s revelatory and convincing demonstration that the ’30s underworld was not populated by thrill-seeking existential anti-heroes (as so many movies would have it), but rather a seething Diaspora of inter-related and frequently improvised alliances, with the Barker, Karpis, Barrow, Nelson and Dillinger gangs all breaking apart and recombining under the pressure of federal manhunts like so many interchangeable parts.

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Featurette: Public Enemies – Real to Reel

An EXCLUSIVE featurette for Public Enemies which offers a behind the scenes look at how they are able to make the film seem like it was shot in 1934. It aslso shows how they were able to film in the exact same locations that Dillinger lived and escaped from.

Johnny Depp back to looking on usual form at Public Enemies premiere

Johnny Depp

“Johnny Depp” is never one to shy away from the dressing up box, but while there was still been something a little sexy about his portrayal of a pirate and scissorhanded goth, his latest alter ego, the Mad Hatter, is just downright freaky (Ronald Donald meets Susan Boyle anyone?), which is why it was such a relief to see him back on usual form at the Public Enemies premiere in Chicago last night.

Released in the UK next week, the film sees Depp playing 1930s gangster John Dillinger and also stars Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard – although this will all be incidental for true fans of the stars…

Interview: Public Enemies – Christian Bale

Interview with Christian Bale, who plays Melvin Purvis in Public Enemies.

1. On Purvis’ success.
2. On the scene in which Purvis and Dillinger meet.
3. On filming at real locations.
4. On the public’s love of Dillinger.
5. On having visited Melvin Purvis’ grave.
6. On the appeal of the story.

Interview: Public Enemies – Johnny Depp

Interview with Johnny Depp, who plays John Dillinger in Public Enemies.

1. On the public’s fascination of Dillinger.
2. On Dillinger’s experience in prison.
3. On the public’s love of Dillinger.
4. On Dillinger’s charisma.
5. On Dillinger versus Melvin Purvis.
6. On the actors who make up the Dillinger crew.

Public Enemies – A Look Inside

Watch Public Enemies – A Look Inside

Featurette for Public Enemies shows footage from the film while discussing the production with cast and crew. Emphasis is on the title character, John Dillinger.

Public Enemies – Toe to Toe

Watch Public Enemies – Toe to Toe clip

Public Enemies Assault Clip

Watch Public Enemies Assault Clip

Yahoo! Movies has just unleashed the first clip from Michael Mann’s Public Enemies titled “Assault.” In the clip FBI Agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) leads a raid on the house where John Dillenger (Johnny Depp) and his gang are hiding.

FBI Agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) leads a raid on the house where John Dillenger (Johnny Depp) and his gang are hiding.

Public Enemies TV Spot

Public Enemies TV Spot

The TV Spot for Public Enemies which will hit theaters on July 1, 2009.

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