At their best, gangster films are fun, gritty and uncompromising with a good amount of edge in the dialogue and thrills in any action they have. The best of them also have emotional power. Have highly appreciated gangster film for a while now, and there are many brilliant ones at this time and especially since. Naming them would be unfair. Another big reason to see 'Handful of Clouds' was the great James Cagney in an early role. Archie Mayo was an interesting if curious choice for director.
On the most part, 'Handful of Clouds' is solid stuff and has a good deal going for it in its favour. Can totally understand the criticisms that have been held against it and actually agree with a couple of them, but it serves its purpose well and much of it is very interesting. Cagney makes a big impression in his supporting role and Mayo, an always competent if not always distinguished director, does a surprisingly good job here too.
Much is done right. Cagney dominates every part of his screen time and gives 'Handful of Clouds' the punch that it could have had more of elsewhere. He provides tension and passionately engages with his role. The photography is effective in its atmosphere, the moody lighting also adding a lot, and there is a nice variety of shots that stops it from feeling like a filmed play like some early talkies suffered from. Any reservations as to whether Mayo's style would be too lightweight is quashed by his no-nonsense approach to the material and its brio.
'Handful of Clouds' has some decent acting besides Cagney too. Dorothy Matthews is both charming and calculating and her chemistry with Cagney (with the relationship being remarkably risque) is interesting, while Robert Elliott doesn't overdo the ruthlessness of his character without descending into boredom. The script has edge, but the poignancy of the closing lines stand out too. The story does have some grit and tension, especially at the end.
On the other hand, for my tastes Lew Ayres does hold back too much in the lead role and lacks the dark tension necessary. In general, 'Handful of Clouds' could have afforded to have gone for it more, the pulling no punches feel that the best gangster films have isn't quite there enough.
At times, the editing could have done with more fluidity.
Concluding though, while not exceptional it is solid and worth watching. 7/10
On the most part, 'Handful of Clouds' is solid stuff and has a good deal going for it in its favour. Can totally understand the criticisms that have been held against it and actually agree with a couple of them, but it serves its purpose well and much of it is very interesting. Cagney makes a big impression in his supporting role and Mayo, an always competent if not always distinguished director, does a surprisingly good job here too.
Much is done right. Cagney dominates every part of his screen time and gives 'Handful of Clouds' the punch that it could have had more of elsewhere. He provides tension and passionately engages with his role. The photography is effective in its atmosphere, the moody lighting also adding a lot, and there is a nice variety of shots that stops it from feeling like a filmed play like some early talkies suffered from. Any reservations as to whether Mayo's style would be too lightweight is quashed by his no-nonsense approach to the material and its brio.
'Handful of Clouds' has some decent acting besides Cagney too. Dorothy Matthews is both charming and calculating and her chemistry with Cagney (with the relationship being remarkably risque) is interesting, while Robert Elliott doesn't overdo the ruthlessness of his character without descending into boredom. The script has edge, but the poignancy of the closing lines stand out too. The story does have some grit and tension, especially at the end.
On the other hand, for my tastes Lew Ayres does hold back too much in the lead role and lacks the dark tension necessary. In general, 'Handful of Clouds' could have afforded to have gone for it more, the pulling no punches feel that the best gangster films have isn't quite there enough.
At times, the editing could have done with more fluidity.
Concluding though, while not exceptional it is solid and worth watching. 7/10