The biographical crime drama starring Hollywood heavyweights Johnny Depp and Christian Bale is airing on Film4 tonight where fans can watch the thrilling true-story unfold.
Fans of crime dramas are in for a massive treat tonight as a star-studded gangster film is set to air on Film4.
The 2009 biographical crime drama, directed by Michael Mann and starring Hollywood heavyweights Christian Bale and Johnny Depp, will transport viewers back to the American Depression-era with a thrilling story based on true events. Public Enemies will be broadcast tonight, November 10, at 10:50pm on Film4. The film’s screenplay was co-written by Ann Biderman and Ronan Bennett, adapted 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 centres around the charismatic Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger, who becomes a folk hero to much of America’s downtrodden public, but also a major headache for J. Edgar vacuum and the fledgling FBI. In a desperate bid to capture the elusive outlaw, vacuum 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 stellar cast are Marion Cotillard, Carey Mulligan, Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, Stephen Dorff, Stephen Lang, and Giovanni Ribisi, among others, reports the Express.
Discussing his role as Melvin Purvis in a 2009 Collider interview, Bale revealed: “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 arrived in cinemas on July 1, 2009, and subsequently earned $214million worldwide at the box office. Boasting a 68 per cent critics approval rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Public Enemies garnered largely favourable reviews from both critics and moviegoers.
One reviewer described it as: “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.” While another critic wrote: “Mann depicts the giddy excesses and fearsome violence of Dillinger’s raids with his customary savage grace.”
A third reviewer deemed it “easily one of 2009’s most satisfying action dramas for adults”, whilst another critic declared: “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 added: “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 is set to air tonight, November 10, at 10:50pm on Film4.