By Bob Polunsky, WOAI.com
"Public Enemies" is the story of gangster John Dillinger with "baby-faced" Johnny Depp playing the lead role. That's a switch because previous movies about Dillinger played him as a hardnosed, brusk adult. Dillinger was played by Lawrence Tierney in a notable previous version. Tierney looked more cynical and more dangerous.
This movie clearly makes Dillinger look like a hero and to those trying to survive the depression, he was. With Johnny Depp's performance, "Public Enemies" is a worthy companion to other gangster movie classics.
As in previous versions, "the lady in red" figures into the storyline. Oscar winner Marion Cotillard plays the key role of Dillinger's girlfriend. Christian Bale plays Melvin Purvis, the officer who gunned Dillinger down.
Many actual locations are used to give the movie a feeling of "being there."
Rated R for violence and worth 3 1/2 stars from your movie professor.
