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Public Enemies

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Public Enemies

R

Released Jul 1, 2009

2h 20m

Crime

Drama

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

279 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

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

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

With real characters full of virtues and defects. A crime film in the style of Michael Mann. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 8/10

Jul 30, 2024

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

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guglielmo d

I don't the overall bad reviews, I thought it was a great movie! Very watchable and possibly very accurate to the true story, and even if it isn't, it is still a lot of entertainment.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

Full Review

Denise D

Unconvincing, superficial characters and story line. Great actors but something is missing. First half of movie was slow and boring, didn't get much better

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/26/25

Full Review

seb f

It looked intriguing but it was too slow and dull and I just couldn't get into it and didn't manage to finish the film.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

Full Review

Lanfranco C

Dillinger story told in a cold and detached way

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/19/25

Full Review

Joe H

This movie is way better than the low numbers it received from this site. I've seen it several times and I never get tired of it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/25

Full Review

Matt O

I’m not sure why this movie has a lower rating and people are hating on it. It was a great flick! Ignore the movie “buffs” and watch this!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/25

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

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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