Review of The Public Enemy (1931) by Tomas T — 04 Jun 2010

The Public Enemy is perhaps one of the earliest Mob movies made in Hollywood and gives a strong start for the genre. Even if not directly related, one cannot but compare the movie with its more modern descendant carrying similar name Public Enemies with J.Depp. There is however no comparison of the two, this movie puts the latter version into shame with no questions asked, so strong is J.Cagney.

Public Enemy is a classical tale of youngsters turning into the criminal path by selling beer during the American Alcohol Prohibition in the 1920's. It is not so much thanks to the story that the movie is so good, all credit must be given to J.Cagney with his feeling invoking acting. The way that Cagney brings out the lead character is somewhat disturbing, especially in the scenes where he oppresses the women burns into ones mind and creates the violent gangster man's stereotype.

With the solid lead acting The Public Enemy is near perfect mob movie, only thing that hinders it from getting higher score in my book is the fact that the script, after a really strong beginning, deaccelerates towards the end to a almost total halt. Luckily the movie manages to pick itself up and ends with style.