The Public Enemy

It's incredible how James Cagney seems to update the form of movie acting in this classic crime film. He is viral, intesive and explosive and totally opposite of then common theater -based acting style. The movie itself is somewhat dated but Cagney mesmerizes viewer in every scene he is in.

This film is not the best gangster movie, but it may be the most copied.

I know you gotta respect this movie for what it is: a classic gangster film, starring Cagney (including the famous grapefruit scene), that inspired years of actors and filmmakers to come blah blah blah... but seriously, this movie could have undergone some serious editing... there were TONS of superfluous lines, shots, scenes, characters, and plot devices. 1 hour and 25 minutes never seemed so long.

This movie, with a snarling, unredeemable Cagney in the title role, is still a highly watchable gangster film. Wellman expertly directed this fast-paced and unpretentious portrait of the rise and fall of a vicious hoodlum.

A classic with Cagney exploding onscreen with his kinetic Irish gangster portrayal. A dynamite opus -- and catch that famous "grapefruit" scene.

solid character piece. cagney does a great job here portraying a simple story of an unlikable guy with sympathetic qualities. would have done a bit better with more exploration of cagney's mindset after the climax.