Public Enemies

2009, Drama/Crime, 2h 20m

281 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Michael Mann's latest is a competent and technically impressive gangster flick with charismatic lead performances, but some may find the film lacks truly compelling drama. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger's (Johnny Depp) charm and audacity endear him to much of America's downtrodden public, but he's also a thorn in the side of J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) and the fledgling FBI. Desperate to capture the elusive outlaw, Hoover makes Dillinger his first Public Enemy Number One and assigns his top agent, Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), the task of bringing him in dead or alive.
  • Rating:
    R (Some Language|Gangster Violence)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Crime, Mystery & thriller, Action
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Michael Mann
  • Producer:
    Kevin Misher, Michael Mann
  • Writer:
    Ronan Bennett, Michael Mann, Ann Biderman
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $97.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Universal Pictures

Cast & Crew

Johnny Depp
John Dillinger
Christian Bale
Melvin Purvis
Marion Cotillard
Billie Frechette
Billy Crudup
J. Edgar Hoover
Stephen Dorff
Homer Van Meter
Stephen Lang
Charles Winstead
Channing Tatum
"Pretty Boy" Floyd
Stephen Graham
Baby Face Nelson
Giovanni Ribisi
Alvin Karpis
Jason Clarke
"Red" Hamilton
David Wenham
Harry "Pete" Pierpont
Emilie de Ravin
Barbara Patzke
Lili Taylor
Sheriff Lillian Holley
James Russo
Walter Dietrich
Rory Cochrane
Agent Baum
Branka Katić
Anna Sage
Peter DeFaria
Grover Weyland
Michael Mann
Director
Ronan Bennett
Screenwriter
Michael Mann
Screenwriter
Ann Biderman
Screenwriter
Kevin Misher
Producer
Michael Mann
Producer
G. Mac Brown
Executive Producer
Elliot Goldenthal
Original Music
Dante Spinotti
Cinematographer
Nathan Crowley
Production Design
Paul Rubell
Film Editor
Colleen Atwood
Costume Designer
Patrick Lumb
Supervising Art Direction
William Ladd Skinner
Art Director
Rosemary Brandenburg
Set Decoration
Avy Kaufman
Casting
Bonnie Timmermann
Casting
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Critic Reviews for Public Enemies

All Critics (281) | Top Critics (76) | Fresh (190) | Rotten (91)

View All Critic Reviews (281)

Audience Reviews for Public Enemies

  • Apr 01, 2017
    highly stylized, with more plot holes (which makes even less sense 'cause it's based on actual events) than bullet holes... and there's alot of bullet holes.
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
  • Jul 14, 2013
    Johnny Depp and Christian Bale faceoff in the exciting historical crime drama Public Enemies. Based on a novel, the film follows the rise of the FBI during the 1930s as they pursue notorious bank robber John Dillinger and his associates. The acting's quite good, as both Depp and Bale give excellent performances. However, Michael Mann's directing is exceptionally poor; particularly in the excessive use of handheld camera shots and the inconsistent cinematography. Still, the action scenes are quite compelling and have a remarkable sense of realism. Public Enemies has its moments, but it's an uneven film that ends up being less than the sum of its parts.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 01, 2012
    Nice to finally see Johnny Depp not in a weird/cooky role. The film had a lot of action and a great story even though it was pretty lengthy. The fact that it's based on real people and events makes it all the better.
    Eric A Super Reviewer
  • Nov 24, 2012
    Solid direction by Mann and a great performance from Depp, towards the end it really gets good.
    Graham J Super Reviewer
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