cagney just isn't likable and portrays an uninteresting character, and most of the characters are (deliberately) bland. best features here are the women, who kick ass, and the surprising tension evoked for the fate of the boring-as-hell mole.

315

Probably a bit too overpraised because of the iconic ending. It's an all right film, but I had to pause a few times cause it was a tad bit too boring for me. I like how the film didn't take itself too seriously. There is a lot to like about this but it just didn't resonate with me as much as it should.

Cagney is on top of the world. His character is so interesting and complex, that you don't even feel bad putting yourself on the side of evil. It feels studio system slowed down this film a bit with 'correct' ending. That famous line should have been last in this film.

Cagney freaks out all over the place in this very special and brilliant film. From its exciting opening to its explosive end (and boy what an ending!!) "White Heat" manages to hold your interest completely with a great ensemble cast and a roaringly awesome story and script. "Made it Ma, Top of the World!."

Cagney is simply astonishing, but the rest of the cast--particularly O'Brien, Mayo and Wycherly as "Ma"--are excellent as well.

Whilst I'll agree that there's not much in the way of splitting 'right and wrong' here, Cagney's unpredictable mental condition, one step away from insanity, very often brings this towards boiling point. The plot is clever, and the inside informant role is well done, not so much acting wise, but the way it is written into the plot. The finale is pretty cool, I love the way they captured the chemicals plant, it looks particularly grim and menacing.

MADE IT MA! TOP OF THE WORLD!

Drags in parts, but it's full of great little sequences and the story takes some nice turns as it goes along.

Probably one of the best realized crime movies from the era. Cagney's performance is over the top and epic, and the ending is one of the greatest ever.

Has a certain volatile energy that I enjoy in crime films. While nothing about White Heat feels truly special, the feeling that Cody could snap at any time really drives the movie forward and makes it pretty fun to watch.

While James Cagney played a great many unpleasant gangsters in his career, WHITE HEAT's Cody Jarrett is an out-and-out psychotic; tortured by mysterious headaches and dependent on his mother, he's a fascinating character, and if Cagney's portrayal of his madness is a bit hammy at times, it's still a compelling performance. The rest of the film is a solid melodrama, with exciting moments and good acting, particularly Margaret Wycherly as Cody's mother. No masterpiece, but definitely worthy.

James Cagney doing what he does best: play a complete fucking psychopath. It, like most film noir requires us to suspend disbelief at the many conveniences laid out to make way for its plot, but let's face it-- this is a Cagney vehicle and he drives that shit through a concrete wall at 120 MPH. The ending is iconic for a good reason.

#314

This is a great classic film. James Cagney gives one hell of a performance, perhaps his best performance ever! The scene where Cagney looses it in jail is great.

A great gangster film with a great performance from James Cagney. The story was actually pretty decent also. Definitely a film to see for fans of gangster films.

The scene where Cagney goes utterly mad is chilling to the bone. The police procedural is surprisingly compelling.

Less a film noir than a regular gangster flick (where Ma is the boss!). But a pretty good one at that.

# 257

One of James Cagney's signature performances (featuring the famous "Made it Ma, Top of The World" line) & my personal all time favorite gangster film. Although this film is notable for its interesting mix of film noir & documentary film styles, it is essentially an actor's movie, basking in a stellar supporting cast (Edmund O'Brien, Virginia Mayo, William Kellogg, etc.) & demonstrating what made Cagney one of the greatest actors in film history. Essential viewing for any real acting fan.

A sombre crime-film with a complex main character; Cody (Cagney) is a merciless bad guy along with his fellow gangsters, but his "tough guy-persona" is challenged (but also abetted) by his secret affection for his mother, and his violent "migraine headaches" suggest a vulnerability under the hard surface. The scene in where Cody gets the message that his mother is dead, and just totally flips out, is strangely powerful - his sorrowful outcry stays. Interesting, but not immense.