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May 23, 2014ManMachine rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Over the many years I have been told, time and again, that White Heat was, without question, a true "Classic" of 40s Crime film. Well, in my opinion, the only way that I could ever call White Heat a "Classic" would solely be in terms of its disappointment factor. ~~~ For one thing - White Heat was way-way too long for my liking. About a good half an hour could've easily been trimmed from its running time. ~~~ Another major disappointment in White Heat was James Cagney's less-than-electrifying performance as the psychotic suck, Cody Jarrett. I mean - A few face slaps here, a couple of "Shuddups!" there, some agonized head-holding, and a string of lame wisecracks didn't add up to a very interesting character, in my books. ~~~ Cagney was 50 at the time of this film. And if his character was really supposed to be this insanely devoted, little momma's boy that he was, then I could never-ever, not even in a zillion years, be convinced that he could've landed himself such a hot, young and (fairly) understanding wife like Verna. No way, Jose. ~~~ All-in-all, White Heat was, at best, mediocre movie-entertainment. Like, let's face it, there are, by far, so many other 1940s Crime films out there that (can and do) surpass this one by a literal country mile.