Review of The Public Enemy (1931) by Brian B — 06 Dec 2008

Cagney is probably my favorite actor of the older generation, and in this, the role that made him a star, he is astounding. Many people point out how this is the film that cemented his tough guy mentality, but the thing that makes this film unique, and causes it to still be a gangster classic is the fact that he also shows a true vulnerability in the role; he loves his mother, he criticizes his brother while also seeming hurt by his approval, and in the end he makes what could have been another corrupt gangster a tragic figure.