New Public Enemies Poster

Contrary to the common consensus that the film’s a letdown (if that 65% on Rotten Tomatoes is anything to go on), I fell hard for Michael Mann’s Depression-era crime thriller, Public Enemies. Picking up fourteen months prior to the death by shooting of infamous bank robber, John Dillinger, the film gives exhilarating glimpse at 1930s’ Chicago in a fashion never yet seen thanks to Mann’s now-signature handheld hi-def handiwork, as well as housing another effortlessly excellent turn from Johnny Depp as that other media-favoured JD. It might leave those seeking blockbuster pyrotechnics or a definitive Dillinger biopic somewhat non-plussed, but ye of open mind and with a hunger for an interesting spin on adult action cinema: bon appétit.

IMPAwards has today added a great new one-sheet for the film — a replication of Dillinger’s mug-shot as posed for by Depp (curiously appearing here sans moustache). Enlarge:



Public Enemies releases locally on July 30^th and I’ll have a full review up before its release.