One of James Cagney's better films is 1940's CITY FOR CONQUEST and it's also a dandy boxing film--especially as it shows the brutality and cost the sport has on the boxers. However, much earlier in his career, Cagney made WINNER TAKE ALL--another boxing film. However, unlike CITY FOR CONQUEST, there really isn't much social commentary here. Instead, it's more a chance for Cagney to play a shallow and stereotypical "loudmouthed" role--something that keeps this film from being anything more than a time passer.
The main controversy in this film isn't boxing per se, but Cagney's desire to chase the wrong woman and compromise who he is in order to get her. At the same time, there's a very nice woman and her son who love him and are sorely neglected by Jimmy, as he's not all that likable and is pretty dim in this film. EVERYONE knows the woman he wants doesn't love him--that is, everyone but Jimmy. And the woman who loves him is so decent and sweet that it just becomes painfully obvious Cagney's character is an idiot AND you know that according to formula, no matter what he does, by the end he'll get the "nice girl" instead. No major surprises here.
The main controversy in this film isn't boxing per se, but Cagney's desire to chase the wrong woman and compromise who he is in order to get her. At the same time, there's a very nice woman and her son who love him and are sorely neglected by Jimmy, as he's not all that likable and is pretty dim in this film. EVERYONE knows the woman he wants doesn't love him--that is, everyone but Jimmy. And the woman who loves him is so decent and sweet that it just becomes painfully obvious Cagney's character is an idiot AND you know that according to formula, no matter what he does, by the end he'll get the "nice girl" instead. No major surprises here.