When people talk about actors in gangster movies, a few names almost always come up — names like Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, and Harvey Keitel. James Cagney isn't mentioned as often, at least by younger film fans, but modern gangster movies owe a lot to the man, and White Heat is a great place to start if you want to understand why.
Cagney plays Cody Jarrett, a psychotic gangster who is overly attached to his mother, Ma Jarrett. Cagney is amazing to watch in this film — he bounces all over the screen, going from zero to one hundred in a split second and keeping the audience (and every character he comes across) on their toes. His supporting cast (especially Margaret Wycherly as Ma and Virginia Mayo as Cody's wife, Verna) are also completely on point and compelling.
White Heat has some serious drama and great action scenes, and the final showdown includes one of the most climactic death scenes ever put to film. Top of the world, indeed.
