PUBLIC ENEMIES
Michael Mann's latest film, Public Enemies, examines the notion of masculine professionalism in much the same way 1995's Heat does - that is through the comparing and contrasting of the chief protagonist and antagonist in the story. In both films, Mann avoids fixating on the virtuous notion of honor and the black-and-white separation of “good guys” and “bad guys” such morality creates. Instead, he and his characters operate in shades of gray thereby blurring the line between good and bad.
In Public Enemies, John Dillinger is technically the "bad guy," yet he is presented as a likeable character who empathizes with the common man and has both a personality and a sense of style. Additionally, he and his crew execute their heists with such efficiency and expertise that it is very clear they are professional bank robbers. The thieves also allude to certain unspoken rules or a code they try to follow, largely in the interest of self-preservation. Such rules include not getting involved in any relationship that would compromise their judgment or their will to flee anywhere at a moment's notice.
Conversely, Melvin Purvis is the FBI agent charged with the task of apprehending John Dillinger. Purvis is somewhat less likeable than Dillinger, primarily because his personality is flat and he is focused solely on doing his job. He is a good cop with honorable intentions of doing the right thing; however, as frustrations mount and his team repeatedly loses its grip on Dillinger, they start to engage in questionable interrogation practices. It seems good guys do not always do good things.
In the end, Dillinger's desire to "have everything and have it now" leads to his downfall. He is killed by the FBI because he does not flee when he has the chance. This choice, driven by attachment to his lover, can be viewed as a lapse in professionalism. While the characterizations here are not as full or interesting as those in Heat, Michael Mann's Public Enemies offers another interesting examination of the code of professionalism and mutual respect between criminals and law enforcement officers.