White Heat
1949
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White Heat Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Arthur "Cody" Jarrett
Verna Jarrett
Vic Pardo, Hank Fallon
Ma Jarrett
Big Ed Somers
Philip Evans
Critic Reviews for White Heat
All Critics (34) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (1)
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Brilliantly directed by Raoul Walsh, an old master of cinema hoodlumism, it returns a more subtle James Cagney to the kind of thug role that made him famous.
April 27, 2009 | Full Review… -
Cagney has an excellent supporting cast.
April 27, 2009 | Full Review… -
Magnificent examination of the criminal mind and Cagney's finest moment.
April 27, 2009 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… -
Raoul Walsh's heroes had a knack for going too far, but none went further than James Cagney in this roaring 1949 gangster piece.
April 27, 2009 | Full Review… -
Despite chronology (deranged by the censor's influence on the studios), this is really the fitting climax of the '30s gangster movie.
January 26, 2006 | Full Review… -
White Heat's ultimate message: love's a *****...even crypto-incestuous love.
February 4, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for White Heat
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Feb 08, 2019A masterclass in pacing. Not a second of this movie is wasted, each scene only adds intriguing complications to the plot. Cagney is exactly the kind of terrifying energy the movie needed.Alec B Super Reviewer
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Nov 29, 2017This gangster film has it all - well-planned heists, cold-blooded murders, fast cars, double-crosses, snappy dialog, sophisticated criminals, and just as sophisticated cops. It's very smart, and Director Raoul Walsh keeps us on our toes without wasting a single moment in telling this story. Most of all, it has James Cagney, who is just fantastic. The film is both dark both in how it's shot, a classic film noir, and in its tone, as Cagney's character is sociopathic, wracked by migraines, and possibly insane. He is supported by a great cast, including Margaret Wycherly in the memorable role as his mother, whose toughness and depravity is gradually revealed. Edmond O'Brien is also strong in the role of the undercover G-man. One theme in the film is how easily (and violently) criminals will betray one another. Another is how advanced forensic and crime-fighting technology was in 1949, which is both impressive and may make you smile. The two of those put together serve as a strong anti-crime message, likely influenced by the production code, and yet, the film is gritty and pushes boundaries, so that it doesn't feel like a morality tale. Character motivations feel authentic. There are several iconic moments, the ending of course, but also Cagney returning and surprising his wife (Virginia Mayo) in the garage, and later staring at a rival (Steve Cochran) through the crack of a door. He is absolutely chilling when angry, and one can't help but be impressed by the great range he showed over his career. If you're in the mood for action and a dark crime film, 'White Heat' is very satisfying.Antonius B Super Reviewer
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Jun 26, 2015Like getting punched in the face - in a good way.Marcus W Super Reviewer
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Nov 28, 2011Someone on IMDB called "White Heat" the bridge "between film noir and WB's classic gangster flicks", and I think it's a pretty apt description. It's the story of Cody Jarrett, psychotic gangster feared by everyone, and yet constantly looking over his shoulder as conspirators lie in wait at every turn (whether it be his right hand man, Big Ed, or the undercover cop, Vic Pardo). Cody the crackpot, with his phantom headaches and his obsessive fixation on his mother, you get the sense of impending doom lingering about his head. So what makes this film so noir-ish? Well, there's a certain amount of lurid fascination we the audience are made to feel with Cody's world, be it with his sleezy, back-stabbing wife or his disturbingly ruthless mother, it's all gritty and seedy. Characters like Pardo or "The Trader" (Cody's "manager") feel like they're ahead of their time in some ways, and we can still see echoes of them in modern day crime films. But it's James Cagney's Cody that steals the show. He's intense, intelligent, but maybe a little too trusting of those around him. His character is kind of pitiful in that he never sees betrayal coming until it's too late. It's a great performance and a great, if quirky crime noir that's right up there with The Big Sleep and The Big Heat (and other "big" movies, for that matter- well, except for Tom Hanks' "Big", obviously).Devon B Super Reviewer
White Heat Quotes
| Arthur Cody Jarrett: | Made it, Ma! Top of the world! |
| Arthur Cody Jarrett: | A copper! A copper!! And I treated him like a kid brother......and I was going to go 50-50 with a copper!! |
| Arthur Cody Jarrett: | A copper! A copper! And I treated him like a kid brother... and I was going to go 50-50 with a copper! |
| Arthur Cody Jarrett: | Made it, Ma! Top of the world! |
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