BASED on Bryan Burrough’s book Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave And The Birth Of The FBI, writer-director Michael Mann’s film is a biopic of American Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger and his team of men who operated on the fringes of the law.

Dillinger (Johnny Depp) and his associate Red Hamilton (Jason Clarke) spring a number of their cohorts from Indiana State Penitentiary, including Harry Pierpoint and Homer Van Meter. They head for Chicago and rob banks, forcing J Edgar Hoover to enlist the services of agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) to hunt down Dillinger and prove the power of the fledgling FBI. Purvis recruits old school G-men like Agent Charles Winstead to provide wise counsel for the inexperienced squad. While the gang keeps hit the headlines, especially when sociopath Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) joins its ranks, Dillinger makes the fatal mistake of falling in love with Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard).

Public Enemies masterfully evokes the era with impeccable production and costumes, captured by cinematographer Dante Spinotti. Mann’s loose shooting style echoes his earlier work in Heat and Miami Vice, bringing a nervous energy that builds in breathless action sequences. Bale’s non-performance is a disappointment but Depp brings a roguish charm to his role.

Film: **** Extras: ***

Peep Show – Series Six (15)

THIRTY-SOMETHING flatmates Mark (David Mitchell) and Jeremy (Robert Webb) continue to blunder irresistibly through life in Croydon, where news that Sophie (Olivia Colman) is pregnant begs uncomfortable questions about who might be the father. The possibility of fatherhood could sour Mark’s relationship with Dobby (Isy Suttie), while Jeremy has his eye on activist Elena. A Series 1-6 box set is also available.

Film: *** Extras: ***

Last Chance Harvey (12)

MIDDLE-AGED jingle writer Harvey (Dustin Hoffman) flies into London having lost his job, to reconnect with his estranged daughter Susan in time for her wedding. To compound his suffering, the bride’s stepfather Brian will walk her down the aisle, consigning Harvey to one of the back tables. At the airport, Harvey ignores survey-taker Kate (Emma Thompson).

When he sees Kate in the airport bar later, reading a trashy novel over a glass of Chardonnay, Harvey apologises and strikes up a conversation. Light-hearted banter builds a friendship that blossoms into more. Last Chance Harvey is a gently paced and incredibly charming romance set against the backdrop of bustling, modern-day London. You need a sweet tooth to swallow some of it, and the central narrative doesn’t have a single unexpected knot before the feel-good conclusion. But the sensational leads add polish to very familiar material.

Film: *** Extras: ***