Public Enemies is a somewhat romanticized take on the battle between the infant FBI and the notorious crime figures of the time with the focus on John Dillinger as Public Enemy Number One.

Johnny Depp is excellent in the role of Dillinger and is able to give just the right swagger with just the right level of humanity to allow the audience to develop a real rooting interest for John Dillinger even though every one is aware that he was a notorious criminal and that he was killed outside a Chicago movie theater by the FBI. Director Michael Mann also creates a more level playing field for the Cops and the Robbers by showing the Robbers giving money back to bank customers and being popular with the public while showing the Cops interrogating a woman by slapping and beating her, so the Robbers can be seen in a favorable light and the Cops can be seen in an unfavorable light. He thus avoids any possible demonizing of his main character John Dillinger.

Christian Bale is also excellent in the role of Special FBI agent Melvin Purvis and balances the star power Depp brings to the role of Dillinger by playing Purvis as vigorous law and order but showing some humanity at the same time. 

The story largely follows the true story of John Dillinger and members of the criminal element such as Pretty Boy Floyd etc. Dillinger is shown creating the public image of a modern day Robin Hood and enjoying his fame with the public. 

The setting in the 1930's is vividly recreated with so much success that it is easy to believe the 1930's were a heydey rather than a depression. Showing the high living of the criminal element so much puts too positive a spin on the times and reality would require more scenes of poverty and fewer expensive restaurants.

The movie was extremely well done and I would see it again.