Public Enemies

One of my favorite aspects of a good movie is the set design. It's not unlike scenery and structure building for model railroading. Through research and creativity, a plausible reality is created and viewed through a calculated perception; like a cropped photo.

The new Johnny Depp film, directed by Michael Mann, Public Enemies; features first rate set design. As with most Michael Mann films, scenes and buildings are portrayed with intense precision. The final scene, where Dillinger meets his fate at the Biograph Theater has been recreated so accurately, even rails were imbedded in the street for passing street cars. Most mediocre films would forgo a detail like this. But its inclusion creates a richer texture. Just like in scale modeling, it's the layering of detail that makes the scene.

From what's been said online about the set design for this film, the viewer will only see about half of the detail put into the sets. It's the sign of a good film, when the director's intention isn't showing off the money spent on the set, but instead, character and story. The background is just matter of fact, meticulously researched - but it's not the plot. 1994's Shawshank Redemption comes to mind; few people probably realize that the interior scenes of the cell block were a complete fabrication, and not shot in a real prison. Again, it wasn't about the set. But it still did it's job with subtle accuracy.

Public Enemies is like that. You're taken into the Depression Era 1930's and it all seems real; every block, every car and every costume. As for it being a great film, I leave that up to you. Personally I liked it, I like all of Michael Mann's movies; Heat, Collateral, The Insider, etc... he's one of the few directors that actually has a signature style, where the camera is always somewhere for a reason, the characters always driven towards something; for better or worse...and the sets are there as tools to support the story.

So, if you're a 1930's modeler or just appreciate some well crafted movie magic, check it out.

Have a Happy 4th of July!