To me, this movie is perfection.

That was an excellent one.

Good concept, poorly executed.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

After watching 1931's "The Public Enemy" - I'm sure you'll agree with me on one thing - There's nothing like giving your favourite gal a grapefruit facial.If you wanna know the truth here - This "say-no-to-crime" story was basically just a poorly concealed moral lesson. - And, that's all.And, with its producer's (well-meaning?) attempt to completely downplay the enticement and glamour of a fast-paced criminal lifestyle - Its strategy of up-righteousness sadly backfired when (unfortunately) the despicable Tommy Powers character was transformed into a martyr.Anyway - Even though "The Public Enemy" may not have been as violent and entertaining as I had hoped it would be (falling quite short of my expectations) - It was still worth a view from a nostalgic perspective (grapefruit facial, and all).

Public enemy is one of the most iconic gangster film I've had watched. The only other gangster films I've scene was Scare face and that was the remake. Even though it is old for my age and time , I do recommend it to be watched. You can relate to their lives and understand why they traveled in the path that they did. I mean coming out of poverty to be the ones calling the shots and becoming wealthy even though they killed people and broke some laws along the way and then having the cops on your tale do not really have a happy ending, especially when you have other people wanting your head too .

Legendary gangster picture for Warner Bros. was an appropriate follow-up to "Little Caesar", their first vehicle for Edward G. Robinson. Of course, this film did the same for the dynamic James Cagney, initially intended to have a supporting role. But Darryl F. Zanuck realized a powerful presence when he saw one, and knew Cagney was right for the juicy lead role. Filmed in potent matter of fact style by William A. Wellman, this has a number of scenes that have rightfully become favourites to classic cinema lovers. That grapefruit moment is certainly one that always comes to mind. With some excellent supporting players to help him out, Cagney makes this essential viewing for any fan of this genre.He plays Tom Powers, obviously destined from the start to be something of a bad boy. Played as a child by Frank Coghlan Jr., he begins as a street hustler until he attracts the attention of big players in the local mobs, such as Paddy Ryan (Robert Emmett O'Connor) and "Nails" Nathan (Leslie Fenton). With his equally seedy friend Matt Doyle (Edward Woods) in tow, he rises to greater prominence, taking no garbage from anybody - men and women alike - and often giving in to a hair-trigger temper.Throughout this bitterly dramatic story, Cagney will do such things as commit murder (although always offscreen) - against both man and animal - and spit beer in one unlucky bartenders' face. You could tell that this man was a star in the making. The women here will often be faced with his wrath, although the radiant Jean Harlow as Gwen will fare better than others. Beryl Mercer is the mother who suspects Tom is no saint but will accept his gifts of money, Donald Cook is the angry brother Mike who KNOWS he's no good, lovely Joan Blondell is Mamie, the woman who catches Matts' eye, and Murray Kinnell is the ultimately pathetic character "Putty Nose". An uncredited Mae Clarke has the distinction of appearing in THAT breakfast scene.Far from glorifying the life of this hoodlum, which was a criticism aimed at these early gangster films, "The Public Enemy" does have a chilling but not exactly implausible ending. It's just one of the factors that makes this such a fine viewing.Eight out of 10.

William Wellman directed this early gangster picture, that stars Jimmy Cagney as Tom Powers, a brazen and ruthless young man who is determined to make something of himself, so he, along with his best friend Matt Doyle(played by Edward Woods) become bootleggers during prohibition, becoming rich and powerful as a result, though Tom becomes increasingly violent and bold, which alienates himself from his straight-arrow brother, and puts his life in jeopardy, as a rival gang, fed up with Tom, decides to take drastic actions... Jimmy Cagney is really the star here, so memorable and dynamic is his performance that it overcomes the stilted nature of the film, though it does have a striking climax.