Public Enemies: a Romantic Gangster Flick

I used to dream about Russell Crowe, as a chiseled gladiator, walking slowly through an overgrown field, trying to reach his wife and child. Up until last weekend, that scene out of Gladiator was the ultimate romantic scene.

Then I saw Public Enemies. And I now have a new romantic hero to fill my dreams: Johnny Depp as public enemy John Dillinger. I'm not sure how accurate his protrayal of a dashing bank robber who held up banks, but never civilians during the great depression was, but he seemed like a Robin Hood figure.

In addition to being dapper and handsome, he was fiercely loyal to his friends and completely devoted to his girlfriend, Billie Frechette, played by the beautiful Marion Cotillard. His love was unshakeable, regardless of how many cops and FBI agents were chasing him. I'm sure I'll be dreaming about his unwavering dark eyes and his perfectly coiffed hair for years to come. What woman could resist when a man like that says, looking directly into her eyes, "I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars... and you. What else you need to know?"

Don't get me wrong though, it was definitely a gangster movie, full of shootings and chase scenes that thrilled my husband. I enjoyed the different types of cinematography techniques used, especially the wood scenes which seemed like reality TV. But the romance is what got me.

When I spontaneously agreed to see Public Enemies last weekend, I thought I was agreeing to two hours of blood and gore. The only emotion I expected to witness was a little machismo. I certainly didn't expect to find it romantic.

Two hours later, when I walked out drying my tears, I turned to my husband and said that was my new favorite movie.