STUDIO SYNOPSIS

In the action-thriller "Public Enemies," acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp)—the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public.

No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone—from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression.

But while the adventures of Dillinger's gang—later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi)—thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw's capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America's first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing "Clark Gable of the FBI."

However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis' men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) and orchestrating epic betrayals—from the infamous "Lady in Red" to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti—were Purvis, the FBI and their new crew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.

VISUAL REVIEW
Public Enemies from a Spiritual Point of View

We are all children of our time. Events, friends and family shape us. None of us are an island. Additionally we all effect change in all that surrounds us. It’s a two way street. This movie really drives home these facts. The 1930s Depression Era shaped John Dillinger and he in turn shaped it.  The other thing that this movie points to is the far reaching effect we all can have, even after our earthly life has come to an end.

John Dillinger, Michael Jackson, Jesus Christ, John Q Public, you and me, we all contribute something to life. Good or bad. So what is your influence and legacy looking like? Mine could use some fixing up, how about yours? May God grant us all the grace to be all we should be.