Review of The Roaring Twenties (1939) by Mike T — 22 Jun 2009
One of the great American crime movies, The Roaring Twenties steers away from the easy mold of cautionary tale, providing a rich and multilayered character drama instead. Employing periodic segments of newsreel footage and narration, director Raoul Walsh gives the characters and situations a sense of something larger.
The technique lends itself to the time and place the picture intends to encompass. The performances are strong across the board, with James Cagney dominating in a somewhat complex lead role. Tightly directed and endlessly entertaining, this is a must-see for fans of gangster movies.
This review of The Roaring Twenties (1939) was written by Mike T on 22 Jun 2009.
The Roaring Twenties has generally received very positive reviews.
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