The film stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard in a biographical crime drama

A film inspired by real events boasting a stellar Hollywood cast airs on Film4 this evening, with viewers hailing it as ‘one of the best gangster movies’.

Public Enemies hit cinemas in 2009 with a powerhouse ensemble including Christian Bale, Johnny Depp, Christian Stolte and Jason Clarke.

The biographical crime drama follows the final years of notorious 1930s bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp).

Whilst the FBI, under J. Edgar vacuum and agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), attempts to eliminate “Public Enemy Number One” and his associates, Dillinger becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse whilst trying to sustain a romance with Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard).

The picture earned roughly $214.1 million globally against a production budget estimated between $80–$100 million, garnering widespread critical praise for its cinematography, sound design, and acting performances, securing nominations from the Satellite Awards (Actor, Cinematography, Art Direction) and the Art Directors Guild.

The film stars two Hollywood heavyweights (Image: Universal Studios)

Despite being over 15 years old, the film has endured brilliantly with glowing reviews from audiences, with many describing it as ‘a good biopic’, reports the Mirror.

On film review platform Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer wrote: “Wonderful film – great performances from all lead actors and remarkably true to what really happened.”

Another said: “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.”

A third added: “This film is a pretty average gangster film at the start and it didn’t especially appeal to me, although by the end I was certainly more hooked.

Johnny Depp won praise for his role (Image: undefined)

“The characterisations are good by Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. The action scenes are pretty decent. One downside was that I found some quiet dialogue a bit difficult to follow at times.

“I imagine this would have looked pretty good on a big screen (cinema). This is a pretty decent film, not brilliant but not awful. If your really interested in the story this film is based on, then yes, I’d recommend it.”

Another viewer said: “Solid work from everyone involved. Appears to be the most truthful of the many films made about John Dillinger. Depp is excellent.

“I enjoyed this movie. The acting was good, the portrayal of the characters excellent. A very good biopic on a violent era of our time,” stated a fifth reviewer.