Public Enemies

R

Released Jul 1, 2009

2h 20m

Crime

Drama

Action

Mystery & Thriller

List

68%

Tomatometer

281 Reviews

59%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

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.

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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.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

There is much to admire in this film... But it's as if the whole thing has been emotionally cauterised. It holds you at arm's length. As such, I found it peculiarly unsatisfying. If it had been a restaurant meal, I'd have come home and had a sandwich.

Aug 29, 2018

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

... it was entertaining, but quite long.

Rated: B+

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

Andrew Sarris

Film Comment Magazine

The desperate times in which we suddenly find ourselves ... make Public Enemies seem especially timely.

Sep 24, 2014

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... a thinking man’s gangster film, less about thrills than the mechanics of Dillinger’s heists and Purvis’ investigation, which [director Michael Mann] executes with his usual precision.

Sep 22, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

What remains impressive is that there’s no need to fictionalize actual events much beyond what Burrough chronicled in his history—they’re all thrilling enough on their own to keep us engaged.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

This film is worth a look for Depp fans and art film fans, and because it's not a noisy summer piece of bombast.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 25, 2022

Full Review

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Ben Chow S

"Work smart and not hard" that's these scammers' slogan. They lure you with promises of luxury and lifetime riches without you doing anything besides investing in their investment schemes, and if you ever fall prey, they will siphon you of every penny dry. I fell their victim however was fortunate to be helped by the best recovery expert on Telegram: @Cybergeniehackpro

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/24

Full Review

Scott S

Found the movie disjointed, with ragged jumps between scenes and too many undeveloped characters and story lines. A huge missed opportunity as well developing the economic backdrop of the Great Depression that had many ordinary folks seeing Dillinger as a hero. Could have used fewer long and pointless gun battles and more conversation. Failed Epic.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/26/23

Full Review

AB L

I think that enough time has passed for us to recognize that Mann's use of digital here wasn't the huge mistake everyone (including myself) thought it was back in 2009, but rather a highly influential decision that predicted how most of us would consume imagery. On top of that, the film features Mann's typically rich use of archetypal cop and criminal characters. I think Depp was born to play Dillinger.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/31/23

Full Review

Anna P

Wonderful film - great performances from all lead actors and remarkably true to what really happened.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/26/23

Full Review

Gareth v

Has the style but that doesn't make up for how boring this movie is at times. Should of been a hell of a lot shorter.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/21/23

Full Review

Daniel M

It had an incredible cast with great performances, but the story didn't entertain me as much as I hoped.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/14/23

Full Review

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Michael Mann

Director

Johnny Depp

John Dillinger

Christian Bale

Melvin Purvis

Marion Cotillard

Billie Frechette

Billy Crudup

J. Edgar Hoover

Stephen Dorff

Homer Van Meter

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Public Enemies: Official Clip - Assault on the Lodge

2:59

Public Enemies: Official Clip - Defying the Law

2:17

Public Enemies: Official Clip - You Act Like a Confident Man

2:50

Public Enemies: Official Clip - Escaping the Jail

2:44

Public Enemies: Official Clip - I Ain't Goin' Nowhere

2:12

Public Enemies: Official Clip - Gross Incompetence

2:43

Public Enemies: Official Clip - What Else Do You Need to Know?

1:27

Public Enemies: Official Clip - I Rob Banks

1:38

Public Enemies: Official Clip - The Bank's Money

2:58

Public Enemies: Official Clip - Gunned Down

2:47

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Michael Mann
Producer: Kevin Misher, Michael Mann
Screenwriter: Ronan Bennett, Michael Mann, Ann Biderman
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Forward Pass, Misher Films
Rating: R (Some Language|Gangster Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 1, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $97.0M
Runtime: 2h 20m

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