Why The Irish in Us is actually a boxing movie in disguise

Is this worth watching today? Honestly, yeah, but only if you have a soft spot for 1930s movies where everyone is shouting at the top of their lungs. If you like James Cagney when he's being a fast-talking troublemaker with a heart of gold, you'll have a good time. But if you're looking for a serious drama or something with a deep message, you should probably skip it. 🥊

It’s a movie for people who like to see family arguments that end in hugs. It’s definitely not for anyone who hates old-school stereotypes or movies where the plot is thinner than a piece of toast.

The whole thing is built around the O'Hara family. You’ve got Pat O'Brien as the 'responsible' brother who is a police officer. Then there’s Frank McHugh as the fireman brother who basically exists to be funny and look confused. And then there’s Danny, played by Cagney. Danny doesn’t want a 'real' job. He wants to be a boxing promoter, which in 1935 was apparently the same thing as being a professional gambler or a bum, depending on who you ask.

They all live with their mother, Ma O'Hara. Mary Gordon plays her, and she is incredibly Irish. Like, the movie really leans into the 'dear old Irish mother' thing hard. She spends most of her time making tea or worrying about her boys, and she clearly has a favorite (it’s Danny, obviously).

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Then Olivia de Havilland shows up as Lucille. She’s the daughter of a police captain. Both the cop brother and the boxing brother fall for her. To be honest, Lucille doesn’t have much to do. She mostly just stands there looking lovely while the men fight over her. It’s funny to see her so young here, before she became a massive star. There’s a reaction shot of her during a big argument where she looks genuinely bored, and I found myself relating to her in that moment.

I noticed a small detail in the kitchen scenes. The set is so cramped. It actually looks like a real house where three grown men are constantly bumping into each other. You can almost smell the cabbage and the old tobacco. It reminded me of the atmosphere in Apart from You, even though that’s a completely different kind of film from a different country. There's just that shared sense of 'home' being a place that’s a bit too small for everyone's personalities.

The middle of the movie drags a little bit. It feels like they had about 40 minutes of actual story and needed to fill another 40 with jokes. Some of the jokes land, some of them are just... loud. Frank McHugh does this thing with his face where he looks like he’s smelling something bad every time he gets nervous. It’s funny the first three times. By the tenth time, you’re kind of over it.

One scene that really stuck with me was when Danny is trying to train his 'fighter.' The guy is clearly not a boxer, and the way Cagney moves around him is like watching a vibrating wire. Cagney had this energy that no one else in that era could match. He doesn’t just walk; he bounces. It makes everyone else on screen look like they are standing in wet cement.

• The Boxing Match: The finale is a long boxing match that takes up way more time than you’d expect.
• The Crowd: Look at the extras in the background of the fight. There is one guy in a flat cap who looks like he's actually trying to leave the theater.
• The Dog: There is a dog in the house that seems very confused by all the shouting. I felt for that dog.

The boxing scenes are actually pretty well-shot for the time. It’s not as polished as Have a Heart, but it has more 'grit.' You can see the sweat and the bruises. When Cagney has to step into the ring himself (because of course he does), the movie stops being a comedy and becomes a weirdly intense sports flick for ten minutes. It’s a total shift in tone that doesn't really make sense, but it works because Cagney is so committed to it.

I found myself wondering about the script. Some of the lines feel like they were made up on the spot. Like when the brothers are bickering about who gets to use the washbasin. It’s so fast and snappy. It’s way better than the dialogue in something like Picture Brides, which felt a bit more stiff and rehearsed. Here, it feels like these guys have been arguing for twenty years.

Wait, why is there so much yelling?

The noise level in this movie is high. If you have a headache, do not watch this. Between the fire sirens, the police whistles, and the three brothers screaming at each other, it’s a lot. But that’s the charm, I guess? It’s trying to capture a very specific kind of urban energy. It’s a bit like Niagara Falls in that it relies on people being annoyed with each other for comedy.

One thing that felt off was how quickly the cop brother forgives Danny at the end. They spent the whole movie basically hating each other's guts, and then—poof—it’s all fine because of a boxing match? It’s a very 'movie' ending. Real life isn't that clean, but I guess people in 1935 wanted to go home feeling happy.

I also liked the lighting in the scene where Danny is talking to his mom in the dark hallway. It’s one of the few moments where the movie slows down and breathes. The shadows are long, and Cagney actually looks tired. It’s a nice break from the 'macho' posturing that dominates the rest of the film.

Is it a classic? Not really. It’s more like a comfortable old sweater that has a few holes in it. You know exactly what you’re getting. It’s a solid programmer that was made to keep people entertained for an hour and a half, and it still does that. Just don't expect it to be more than it is. It’s just James Cagney being James Cagney, and sometimes that’s enough. 🍀

I forgot to mention the music. The score is very 'mickey-mousing'—you know, where the music follows every single action. If someone trips, the tuba goes womp-womp. It’s a bit much. It’s like the movie is constantly nudging you in the ribs saying, 'Hey! That was funny! Laugh now!' I could have done with a lot less of that. But hey, that's 1935 for you.