The lives of outlaws have always been romanticized from the Arabian Nights, Robin Hood, Billy the Kid, Jesse James and naturally the 1933-34 heyday of the mobile bank robbers depicted in Public Enemies. There have been a number of movies made about these characters, some better than others. This one is better than most. The acting is top notch. Johnny Depp is near perfect as John Dillinger. History reports his charismatic character and cockiness which Depp easily incorporates. Christian Bale plays the less glamorous role of Melvin Purvis (a great name for anyone but an FBI agent). There are many story lines wrapped around this movie. The personal lives of the outlaws are fascinating. The ineptness of the early Bureau is depicted. Hoover is actually shown in a better light than was probably the case at the time. The facts are largely intact in this movie. This isn’t Bonnie and Clyde. (A great movie, but not a documentary by any means.) There is lots of action and the weapons appear to be period. Lots of 1911’s, Thompson’s and BAR’s. Visually the film is wonderful. The colors and costumes stand out. There is a sense of style that reflects the era. Mann knows how to keep the movie flowing, but there are not all those quick cuts that were distinctive (and distracting) in his earlier films. I’m a fanboy of the era. I’m reading the book now and have Melvin Purvis’ son’s biography of his father, Vendetta, on my nightstand. This is an epic film and one of the most entertaining so far this summer.