Review of The Public Enemy (1931) by Revolver C — 01 Feb 2004

[font=Courier New]If I could use one word to describe this movie, it would be, "haunting". This movie was made in 1931 and starred *sigh* James Cagney along with Jean Harlow...though mostly James Cagney.

The movie was made as a plea to the public rather than a source of entertainment, made in a time when boys becoming gangsters was a real threat to society. Cagney's character is a representation of the real boys who came from a poor home and became a real "Public Enemy" hence the title.

Cagney grows up in a world of violence and revenge as he himself becomes the personification of a gangster. The film was made before Hollywood passed a censorship, meaning the film is filled with raunchy women and suggestive themes including drinking and violence, though these things makes the message hit twice as hard.

Hollywood meant for the film to scare people, and scare it does. This film launched Cagney's career, no suprise there, his acting is supurb, though I must say his girlfriend looks like a monkey. (The second girlfriend) If you don't have a stomach ache when the movie is finished, it didn't do its job, it's meant to stick with you and make you feel sorry for the millions of boys during that time who turned to a life of crime when they could have done something with their lives.

I recommend it, though not to someone looking for a light comedy!![/font].