Public Enemies Review
Public Enemies
Starring: Anna Friel and Daniel Mays
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 180 minutes
Release date: 30 April 2012
Reviewed by David Savage
A gripping British drama by award winning writer Tony Marchant first shown on the BBC.
Paula Radnor (Anna Friel) plays a parole officer who is suspended from her job after a convicted murderer in her care goes on to murder again. On her return to work she is handed the case file of another murderer.
Eddie Mottram (Daniel Mays) plays the part of convicted murderer. While still a teenager his 17 year old girlfriend is strangled and he pleads guilty to her murder. Sentenced to 25 years in prison after 10 years served he get paroled. He is put into a bail hostel and considered a medium risk offender until he starts to plead his innocence in the murder. By saying he didn’t commit the crime he was upgraded to a high risk offender which puts more pressure on him and the stress starts to show.
Paula is only supposed to manage his parole but finds herself believing his innocence and starts to help him try and prove it which in turn causes her to have her own problems.
Overall a very gripping drama about the British justice system and the effects it has on the lives of everyone who comes into contact with it including their families and friends. It is very well acted but Daniel Mays portrayal of a convicted criminal trying to readjust to life on the outside while trying to prove his innocence is superb. Split into three easy to watch 1 hour episodes it is very enjoyable and absorbing.
Highly recommended. Good quality British drama.
Rating: 5/5 
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