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One of the new movies that is already out in theaters is "Public Enemies," a historical drama starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale.
Even though Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd and others are included in the film, make no mistake -- the focus of this movie is on a single public enemy and that's John Dillinger, the notorious gangster whose specialty was spectacularly brazen bank robberies.
Johnny Depp stars as Dillinger and puts his signature all over this character. He's got the look, the reckless charm and cold-blooded danger down pat.
Soon, Dillinger becomes a priority of the newly created F.B.I. Determined to groom the image of the "G-Man" as the straight-laced, all-American champion of justice, J. Edgar Hoover -- played by Billy Crudup -- puts special agent Melvin Purvis -- played by Christian Bale -- hot on the trail of Dillinger.
The texture of this movie is rich, steeped in the glamour of the era one moment and down in the grit of the Depression the next. Johnny Depp once again has totally immersed himself in his character and simply becomes Dillinger. Marion Cotillard, who won an Oscar in "La Vie en Rose," is heartbreaking as the gangster's devoted lover. Director Michael Mann has again delivered a terrific movie with "Public Enemies."
I really like "Public Enemies." It gets 3 1/2 stars and it's rated R for violence and language.
