Public Enemy' Film Review - Essay Example

Public Enemy Films depict specific phenomenon or themes that the playwright aims to achieve. There are various inherent aspects that William Wellman’s 1931film Public Enemy portrays about life. The film revolves around crime behavior. The below film review outlines the aspects of class consciousness, glorification of wealth as well as solving problems with buying things.The film is a true depiction of what is happening in the modern days. The various instances of criminal activities as portrayed in the film revolve around wealth acquisition.

Beer and luxury drive the main character and the protagonist in almost all the scenes in the film. The playwright portrays Joan, Mae Clarke and Jean as persons who can fight in order to achieve high lifestyle through prostitution (Greatest Films n.d.). Tom has an intense desire for wealth. The urge pushes him to steal items and sell them to raise money. By comparison, Putty-Nose buys things from the boys in order to settle his bills. The acts are aimed at acquiring wealth and fitting into a lucrative class in the society.

Mike is conscious of his future. He works throughout the day and attends school at night in pursuit of his career objectives for a better future. He goes to war as an army man to earn a living and reputation in the society. Wealth pushes Tom and Matt to accept Putty Nose’s offer to rob a fur warehouse (Aquila 26). Initially, Tom and Mike are seen seeking other opportunities in life. They become truck drivers with the aim of making money.The owner of a liquor store decides to sell all his liquor before midnight following the prohibition of the product.

All vessels get filled with bottles of beer. The prohibition is perceived by many as an avenue into multi-billion dollar profits arising from illegal bootleggers. Paddy lures Tom and Matt into the lucrative liquor business. Paddy uses Tom and Matt to loot liquor and buys it from them. They sell the looted beer making huge profits. The film glorifies wealth to the extent that people steal in order to acquire money and positions in the society.The two boys on acquiring wealth change their lifestyle.

They change their clothes to smart looking tailor made clothes and as well as enjoy the pleasures of life. They become conscious of their class as they acquire flashy roadster cars and make merry at profligate nightclub. In the club, they dance with the most attractive women.Tom and Matt continue with their criminal escapades and become even more conscious of their class. They acquire a new boss, who not only sell illegal beer, but also manufactures liquor. Tom deserts his old girlfriend and lures another flamboyant one, just for class.

One gang leader, Nathan, receives an expensive burial with floral pieces selling very expensively. All the scenes in the movie have a facet of wealth.Works CitedAquila, Marie L. Movies as History: Scenes of America, 1930-1970. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland &, 2014. Print."The Public Enemy (1931) - Greatest Films - The Best Movies in Cinematic History." Filmsite Movie review. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014 .