Review by Marcie Gainer
James Cagney plays a sociopathic and narcissistic criminal with severe mommy issues in the classic film noir WHITE HEAT. If you’re a noir lover, this one shouldn’t be missed. And I must say that seeing it on the big screen would be a treat as the action scenes -- especially the ending scene -- don’t feel horribly dated. Cagney gives an intriguing and powerful performance as Cody Jarrett. He is accompanied by the ever beautiful Virginia Mayo as his wife, Verna Jarrett.
After an intense train robbery, Jarrett and his gang (including his mother, Ma, and Verna) are on the run. Eventually, Jarrett winds up in jail and concocts an elaborate escape with another convict -- who is actually an undercover police officer.
