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Public Enemies
- Review Date: June 30, 2009
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Depp scores as Depression-era robber, but lots of violence.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this 1930s-set crime drama starring Johnny Depp as infamous bank robber John Dillinger is full of very realistic violence that some will find hard to take. Gun battles are frequent and intense, and characters suffer gory wounds and die. A woman is beaten during an interrogation scene; other characters are shot down in cold blood. Although there's not too much in the way of sexual content (aside from one somewhat steamy love scene with no nudity) or language (there's one use of "f--k," plus a smattering of other salty words) for an R-rated film, the movie's focus on the differences and similarities between cops and crooks yields complex role models and messages. Some law enforcement officers are depicted as corrupt and cruel, while others are dedicated, dignified, and diligent; similarly, there are cold, calm professionals among the film's criminals, as well as hair-trigger sociopaths. Expect lots of period-accurate smoking and drinking.
What's the story?
In 1933, John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) began a 14-month crime wave that started with his release from prison and ended with his death on the streets of Chicago. Hailed by the public as a modern-day Robin Hood -- or at least a charismatic criminal who struck back against the banks that many Americans blamed for the Great Depression -- Dillinger was a celebrity in his day, as was Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), the lawman that J. Edgar Hoover set on Dillinger's trail. As Dillinger and Purvis are both driven to extremes by outside forces, their kill-or-be-killed hunt plays out. ...
Is it any good?
Director Michael Mann has made more than just crime films like Heat, Collateral, and Manhunter -- but, of course, those are the ones we remember him for. But Mann's more interested in ethics, morals, and society than he is in simple run-and-gun action -- even if he can, and does, deliver incredible action sequences as part of making his deeper dramas. PUBLIC ENEMIES is a thoroughly watchable piece of thriller cinema, anchored by a great star turn in Depp's John Dillinger -- but it's also a much darker, more complex film than the Tommy-gun toting action in the trailers and the posters would suggest.
It's also a film in search of a story to tell -- Depp's Dillinger exists without a past, and Bale's Purvis is a cipher. Marion Cotillard plays the love of Dillinger's life, and she walks a careful line in depicting both a starry-eyed woman seduced by Dillinger's dangerous charms and a fully actualized person well aware of what she's doing. Public Enemies may have a few too many stories in it, and it's hampered a bit by the lack of a clearly defined arc outside of Dillinger's romanticized rise-and-fall. But the technique is immediately apparent, and the textures hidden in the story reveal themselves as more and more interesting the more you think about them. Public Enemies is a film with real depth -- and a welcome chance to engage in a film during the summer season of shallow blockbusters.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's violence. How does its realistic, almost intimate style (intensified by the use of handheld digital cameras) affect its impact? Is it more or less disturbing than booming (but bloodless) explosions and big-budget mayhem?
Families can also talk about how the movie portrays both criminals and law enforcement officials. What distinguishes Dillinger from Purvis? Both are smart and determined; why is one a hero and one a villain? Is the rule of law more important than the rule of force?
Also, why do you think Dillinger, a convicted criminal, became such a well-loved figure during the Great Depression? Why did so many working-class people admire (and even shelter) him? How did he use the media to his advantage?
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AGE
Depp has Done it Again
Johnny Depp can do no wrong. Plain and simple. Yes, I liked "Secret Window," now let's drop it. In his latest film, directed by Michael Mann (of "Heat" fame), Depp plays John Dillinger, a renowned crook and J. Edgar Hoover's worst nightmare. He is seduced by Billie Frechette (a gorgeous Marion Cotillard) one night at a bar and is quick to spark a relationship with her. As the film progresses we learn that Dillinger is Piblic Enemy #1, and the Chicago Police have an entire sector after him. After successfully murdering mass-murderer "Prettyboy" Floyd, Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale, with a slightly annoying accent) is assigned to lead the group. He follows Dillinger's every move and will stop at nothing to get him behind bars. When he finally does, John is quick to escape. This leads to a climactic scene that is so gritty and real it dares you not to look away. The rest of the film is no different. Shot with a natural, fly-on-the-wall look, the film is intimate and incredibly raw. And annoying as his accent may be, Bale really delivers. Consider it his redemption for "Terminator Salvation." He says more with his face than anyone else does with words. Empty glances convey his loneliness and recoiling about his job, causing an interesting theme for the film. Through the police's search for a criminal, have they descended into the same behavior? Who's right and who's wrong? This question is heightened by a dynamite performance from Depp (but really, what's new?) He turns Dillinger into a confident, charismatic character and causes the audience to end up rooting for him over the Chicago police. Only Johnny Depp can do that. But good as the film may be, it isn't "Heat." The film provides no backstory for John Dillinger, so we never really know why he's robbing banks. He's in jail as the opening credits roll, but why? Nevertheless, the film is incredibly entertaining and leaps and bounds better than most of the other blockbusters being released this summer. If you're trying to decide between this and "Transformers," by ALL means, see this. It's just as long but feels like nothing compared to the grueling length of that thing. But if you're a tween or teen deciding between this and "Transformers," you might have to pick the awful one. The film is unsettling and very violent, but I was fine. It all depends on your tolerance level.
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AGE
Public Enemies
Johnny Depp play depression-era bank robber John Dillinger in Michael Mann's well achieved movie that tackles on heavy themes for younger kids and will be enjoyed by older teens and adults. The movie is very intense throughout with prolonged shootouts. Other than that the movie has a solid script and acting.
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AGE
one of the summer's best and most anticapated
the long patient wait for the film is over and the film lives up to it's expectations. jhonny deep deserves an oscar nom for his performance christian bale rules for hs role as the cop hunting dilinger.
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AGE
Public Enemies
Over all Great Movie! Excellent performance by Johnny Depp! Complex interesting characters and an Original Plot. The gunfight scenes were pretty brutal at times, somewhat graphic (blood spurting from wounds, etc...). Not a ton of language, especially considering its a Gangster film. Implied brief sexual scenes, pretty much no nudity.
I would recommend this for ages 15+
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AGE
Not what CommonSense Reviewers say it is!
This movie is great. Overall 4 stars. My concerns are the violence. There is a scene where a man shoots another with a rifle, blood all over his shirt. Probably the bloodiest scene in the movie. There are shootouts and stuff like that but not too bad. There is a s*x scene. Nothing bad is shown. Also the language D*mn, S**t, Godd*mmit, stuff like that, but nothing above the S Word. Also there's a scene where a lady gets slapped like 5 times!! It's mean, but my 13 year old bro was chuckling just like a bunch of other peeps in the theater. I think this movie is ON 13 +. 13+ because not all 10 year olds would be able to watch an R rated movie like this.
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AGE
al capone move over here comes john dillinger
old movie feel new movie style great its another scarface hands down and dont argue that point until you've seen it! action packed old school style.
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AGE
Great movie that accurately depicts Dillinger's final days
Public Enemies is a well-done film that acts not only as a biopic of John Dillinger's life, but as a gritty, shoot 'em up action movie. It has a large amount of violence in it, which is expected from this kind of movie, and it doesn't go over-the-top as some other gangster films do. Depp makes for a fascinating and charismatic Dillinger, though Bale's Melvin Purvis seems to be made of stone and his rough-as-sandpaper voice never allows the audience to see him as a human, flawed person that this film needed for an antagonist.
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AGE
i really loved the movie one of my personal favorite so much action and shooting you'll love it jonny depp is really talented 14 and over for sex language and violence this movie it worth watching
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AGE
13+ is a safe bet
The violence isn't that bloody or graphic... a little loud.... Johnny Depp is perfect and the directing is awesome. 13 and up is a safe bet.
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AGE
does not deserve R rating
SPOILER ALERT! This is a very good movie with some iffyness. The violence was not that bad save for a few scenes where there is blood. But, only the very last thing in the movie kind of disturbed me. It is the part when the main character is shot and killed. There is a lot of blood. Other than that, the violence is not that bad. There is a lot of drinking/smoking in the movie though, because it takes place in the 1930s, before they knew about how smoking is bad for you. There is very little sex or kissing in the movie, so that part is fine. The role model is not that good, 'cause he is a serial theif, but in the end he dies, so your kids(unless they want to die)probably won't see him as a role model. I think it is a fine movie to see if your kids are mature enough.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Michael Mann |
| Cast: | Christian Bale, Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillard |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 140 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 1, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | December 9, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | gangster violence and some language |
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