Spring Break
Public Enemy, or public hero?
Gangster flick leaves viewers with questions about right and wrong.
By: Logan West
Issue date: 7/2/09 Section: Features
In "Public Enemies," director Michael Mann brings to life a tragic story from 1930s Chicago that is real, fantastic and digs at the wishes of freedom everyone longs for. He presents it well with an all-star cast including Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard.
Played by Johnny Depp, John Dillinger is a man who knows what he wants, why he wants it and how he is going to get it. He also has a charismatic personality and charm that makes him irresistible to women and revered by men. He is a simple man living by an exceptional code. This code includes loyalty to friends, generosity to the poor and no remorse in punishing those around him who violate the code. The only problem is he robs banks, and the government does not appreciate it.
Dillinger, Public Enemy No. 1, is an outlaw who appeals to the public and hides among them because he is just like them. The one difference is that he has the audacity to take what he wants in a time of economic crisis, making him a hero and champion to the fascinated and impoverished public.
This is highly relatable in a time when we are experiencing an economic crisis, and Depp pulls off a persona with style and sophistication. However, today we can only experience bank robberies like Dillinger's in the movies.
Unfortunately for a simple man like Dillinger, a complex enemy has arisen that does not care about the need and desires of one man nor the attention of the public. It only cares about one thing: putting away Dillinger. This enemy is science and technology as employed by the FBI.
The FBI is implementing means of catching criminals with scientific detective techniques. The spearhead of this new method is Melvin Purvis, played by Christian Bale.
Purvis is a moral opposite of Dillinger, but has several things in common with him. Purvis lives by a moral code much like Dillinger, they are both fully committed to what they do and they understand the cost of human life in their work. The difference between them is that while Dillinger is the charming controller of his environment, Purvis is a stiff and rigid robot controlled by the goals of the FBI. Considering his acting abilities, Bale seems limited by such a bland role.
Played by Johnny Depp, John Dillinger is a man who knows what he wants, why he wants it and how he is going to get it. He also has a charismatic personality and charm that makes him irresistible to women and revered by men. He is a simple man living by an exceptional code. This code includes loyalty to friends, generosity to the poor and no remorse in punishing those around him who violate the code. The only problem is he robs banks, and the government does not appreciate it.
Dillinger, Public Enemy No. 1, is an outlaw who appeals to the public and hides among them because he is just like them. The one difference is that he has the audacity to take what he wants in a time of economic crisis, making him a hero and champion to the fascinated and impoverished public.
This is highly relatable in a time when we are experiencing an economic crisis, and Depp pulls off a persona with style and sophistication. However, today we can only experience bank robberies like Dillinger's in the movies.
Unfortunately for a simple man like Dillinger, a complex enemy has arisen that does not care about the need and desires of one man nor the attention of the public. It only cares about one thing: putting away Dillinger. This enemy is science and technology as employed by the FBI.
The FBI is implementing means of catching criminals with scientific detective techniques. The spearhead of this new method is Melvin Purvis, played by Christian Bale.
Purvis is a moral opposite of Dillinger, but has several things in common with him. Purvis lives by a moral code much like Dillinger, they are both fully committed to what they do and they understand the cost of human life in their work. The difference between them is that while Dillinger is the charming controller of his environment, Purvis is a stiff and rigid robot controlled by the goals of the FBI. Considering his acting abilities, Bale seems limited by such a bland role.
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