alexanderdavies-99382
"Warner Bros" played a clever switch by showing how law and order functions. The film has a documentary feel about it as it is based upon the F.B.I. James Cagney is a city lawyer, whose practice isn't faring too well. A friend who is a G man, suggests to Cagney that he sign up to have the same career. He does just that and learns a great deal, plus rubbing his boss Robert Armstrong up the wrong way. Margaret Lindsay plays the mandatory love interest but her and Cagney don't have very good on-screen chemistry in my opinion. Joan Blondell would have been FAR better. The action scenes are absolutely brilliant and are more polished than in previous "Warner Bros" films. The dialogue is good and the story is tight. Cagney is very good but his acting ability wouldn't be stretched for a few more years. Barton MacLane makes for a great villain. It was funny in the gymnasium scene when Cagney is put through his paces in self-defence! Robert Armstrong can't stop laughing at this. A great film overall.
GManfred
Can't find a flaw or an objection to "G-Men", a depression-era gangster picture which hits all the right notes. The screenplay, acting, direction and photography are all outstanding. The picture centers around James Cagney, a lawyer-turned G-man who rises quickly through the ranks to become a hero, much to the grudging admiration of Robert Armstrong, Chief of the Department, as he captures or exterminates several dangerous gangsters.It sounds like a lot of similar 'shoot-em-ups', but Director Keighley does it with style here, and with the help of a first-rate cast. Besides Cagney and Armstrong are such stalwart supporters as Lloyd Nolan, Ann Dvorak and Barton McLane. He keeps the action moving so that there is very little down time or prolonged stretches of dull dialogue - come to think of it, there are no breaks in the action as it is nearly continuous and helps to make "G-Men" one of the best of its genre regardless of the era.
cordaro9418
After playing a Gangster for the better part of four years, Cagney was allowed a curveball in 'G-Men'.Though not without a little prodding to the Warners, Jimmy turned the tables and finally portrayed the law, in one of the better F.B.I. films to this day.Breaking from his standard typecast, Cagney gets to show a little more range in a restrained lawman looking to use the law as his vehicle of payback.A great turn as well paced and scripted film.For Cagney fans or just old school movie lovers, bring the popcorn.
atlmkt
Super Cagney vehicle. Fast paced, terrific acting, gripping story line, Cagney as compelling as ever. The movie was an enormous hit in its day and boosted the FBI in the public mind. It started the movie trend for looking at things from the lawman's side instead of the crooks and Cagney, Raft, Edward G, and all the tough guys suddenly became cops. In the next two years there were 60 movies made along these lines showing the lawmen at work. It was a big boost for Cagney's career as there had been some negative feedback on his always playing the bad guy and this movie opened new doors for him. Hard to understand the reviewer that thought it was corny with old cars etc, this was made in 1934 about the those times, what would he expect, ridiculous comment he should stick to new stuff as he clearly doesn't appreciate the old gems.. Acting, script, direction, this is all first rate. Mike L
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