The Public Enemy [DVD] [1931]
- Details
- Format: DVD
- Release Date: 01-25-2005
- Other
- Product Name: The Public Enemy [DVD] [1931]
- UPC: 012569690622
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- Rated 5 out of 5 stars
The Public Enemy (1931)
"The Public Enemy" is one of the starting points of the great season of gangster movies, a very interesting work. It is not the story of the rise and fall of some big boss of crime. Tom Powers (James Cagney) and Matt Doyle (Edward Woods) are just small time crooks, and so they remain throughout the movie. Only, they make the big money that the circumstances of prohibition offer to any criminal. Tom is just a semi-illiterate, naturally violent thug. He is not even professional. He kills just out of stupidity or desire of a pointless revenge, that ultimately will severely damage himself. Further evidence of his cheap personality is shown when he instantly falls for the vulgar, tasteless girl Gwen (Jean Harlow). By the way, Harlow looks remarkably unattractive (to our modern eyes, at least). Was it a choice of director Wellmann? Matt is slightly better than Tom, but clearly he has not the guts to cross his mate. In my opinion a major credit of the film is that it systematically avoids cliché. Neither Tom nor Matt are outcomes of poverty and social injustice. They come from simple but honest, decent and loving families. But they are both bad (that's the word) and they use the freedom and opportunities of their democratic country to make evil. In "The Public Enemy" we find probably the first instances of the beautiful stylish cinematography and clever camera-work that will become the trade-mark of later gangster and noir movies. Some scenes are unforgettable, like the final one, or that under the rain, or that of Cagney abusing the girl. The brief scene of the killing of the horse is pure cinematic genius. In the film there are also some naiveness and clumsiness, though. The way Tom undergoes the personality of his good brother is far-fetched. It is not clear why a gangster in a hospital, wounded in a gun-fight, is not under strict police control. The behavior of Tom's boss in the ending is illogical. Moreover, the part where Tom and Matt are kids is too long (we audience are all eager to see Cagney!), and action is a bit scarce for a gangster movie. "The Public Enemy" was Cagney's breakout film, and really he makes a powerful and accurate job. Actually, a strong acting is provided by the whole cast. The director William A. Wellmann handles the movie with sound talent. "The Public Enemy" is a beautiful and historically important movie. I recommend it to any cinema-lover
This review is from The Public Enemy [Blu-ray] [1931]
Posted by Rockinrobin
- Rated 5 out of 5 stars
If you love gangster movies this will make ur list
Great old movie. Cagney as usual is an amazing actor. its a trip watching this movie and knowing way back then they didnt use guns with blanks they used real ones! there is a scean where Cagney is in the middle of a shoot out with a cop and in real life the cop actor was really a police sharp shooter and the guy was off a bit and hit a piece of the window frame and the piece actually hit Cagney near the eye and they kept that in the film. great flick! I also recommend "White Heat" and " Angels with dirty faces" those two are insanely good. Enjoy!
This review is from The Public Enemy [Blu-ray] [1931]
Posted by ChiefyT
- Rated 5 out of 5 stars
tough guy
James Cagney plays an Irish street tough who strives to enter the world of organized crime. .There is a scene where Cagney shoves a grapefruit into mae clarkes face which at the time was unheard of.
This review is from The Public Enemy [Blu-ray] [1931]
Posted by enterprise
