A beloved crime drama starring two legendary actors is airing on television tonight and fans can catch the film on Film4.
Starring Hollywood heavyweights Christian Bale and Johnny Depp, the 2009 biographical crime drama directed by Michael Mann is all set to take viewers to the American Depression-era as a thrilling story based on true events unfolds on our screens.
Public Enemies is all set to air tonight, November 10, at 10:50pm on Film4.
The crime flick has a screenplay co-written by Ann Biderman and Ronan Bennett who adapted it from Bryan Burrough’s 2004 non-fiction book titled Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933–34.
The plot of the film says: “Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger’s 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 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, the task of bringing him in dead or alive.”
Joining Depp and Bale in the film’s cast were Marion Cotillard, Carey Mulligan, Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, Stephen Dorff, Stephen Lang, and Giovanni Ribisi alongside a larger extended cast.
Speaking about his character, Melvin Purvis, in a 2009 interview with Collider, Bale said: “I recognize of course that it’s very much a supporting role in this movie, but I just couldn’t help but become really fascinated with the character and became very affectionate and fond of him. I just wanted to know as much as I could and it’s all out there as well. He was somebody who was unique.”
Public Enemies hit theatres on July 1, 2009, and went on to gross $214million at the global box office. With a 68 per cent critics approval rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Public Enemies received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences.
While one reviewer called it: “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.”
Another critic wrote: “Mann depicts the giddy excesses and fearsome violence of Dillinger’s raids with his customary savage grace.”
A third reviewer felt it was “easily one of 2009’s most satisfying action dramas for adults”, while another critic stated: “The lush sets and gorgeous costumes coupled with the grainy cinematography make for a totally immersive experience, pulling a modern audience into a bygone era of fast cars, tommy guns and femme fatales.”
One fan of the film said: “Wonderful film – great performances from all lead actors and remarkably true to what really happened.”
While another viewer commented: “One of the best gangster movies about depression-era criminals and crimes. Brilliant performances from Depp, Bale, and Cotillard. Micheal Mann makes really good crime films. I loved it.”
Public Enemies will be broadcast tonight, November 10, at 10:50pm on Film4.