BY YONG SHU HOONG

FOR fans of explosive gangster sagas like The Untouchables (1987) and Gangs Of New York (2002), Public Enemies serves up another hefty slice of crime drama to savour.

The story opens in 1933 Chicago, during the depths of the Great Depression - a period ironically touted as the golden age for bank robberies.

With the banks and their wealthy customers blamed for the hardship suffered by the common people, bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) is elevated to folkhero status for fleecing the rich.

Depp's Dillinger enjoys a cult of personality as a gentleman outlaw who looks well-groomed in photos, offers quotable quotes to the press, and is portrayed as someone who tries his best not to harm the innocent.

But to law enforcers, he is a menace who has pulled off one heist too many.

While director Michael Mann (Miami Vice and Collateral) has a fan base awed by his commendable body of work, many viewers would be drawn to the film solely by Depp's star power. And he doesn't disappoint.

Depp plays his role with much charm and humour, from how Dillinger outwits the police and flirts with adoring journalists, to his dashing appearance in hat and sharp suit while brandishing a machine gun.

He also enjoys sizzling chemistry with onscreen love interest Marion Cotillard (Oscar winner for La Vie En Rose), who plays Billie Frechette.

Christian Bale (The Dark Knight, Terminator Salvation), on the other hand, fares less well as square-jawed Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Melvin Purvis, who's continually in hot pursuit of Dillinger.

By comparison, he had more room to shine in 3:10 To Yuma (2007), where he played another outlaw chaser.

The film's Great Depression setting bears a resemblance to the current global economic downturn.

As one leaves the cinema, a question remains: Who will be the Dillinger of this recession?

For more my paper stories click here.