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Michael Mann has had some rather big roles behind some contemporary mega-productions like Heat, Last of the Mohicans, Ali, Hannibal Lecter and Collateral so you know that he can deal with star power leading the way in his movies. This is however the first time he has directed Johnny Depp in a lead role and after watching the movie I cannot say either of them did the other guy any favors.

Public Enemies is an American gangster movie based upon John Dillinger's bank robbing exploits in the 1930's. The man himself was somewhat idolized because of his smooth character and seemingly Robin Hood-like exploits which fit a Johnny Depp character quite well. But that was the extent of that. Dillinger himself was a dark soul, who did kill and steal, mostly from banks in the mid-western USA during a depression.

The movie relives several robberies run by Dillinger's gang as in-your-face shoot'em ups and get away bravado decorated with machine gun fire spraying everywhere. Johnny Depp just looks smarter than this, and I can buy him as a crook, but not a crook that relies on simple brutal force rather than cunning. 

Therein lies what this movie lacks - a deeper understanding of the why. Why does Dillinger insist on killing? Why did Dillinger give a bank customer his money back? Why was he so attracted to Billie (girlfriend) Frechette? Why did he irk the mob instead of working with them? Why did he go back to Chicago where he was most recognizable? Even in the face of learning how to make real money illegally, Dillinger chooses to anger the mob, rather than express interest in becoming partners.

This movie is more of a comic book caper full of cardboard characters, and Depp's portrayal of Dillinger is no exception.

What saves this movie from being a total flub, is the costumes, cars and scenery which rank right up there with Cinderella Man for authenticity. Also Billy Crudup as J. Edgar Hoover was the only role that had some depth to it. Oh and I shant forget that my wife dragged me to the movie in order to get close with Johnny Depp himself, so I figure that at least half the viewers are gonna love this movie.