The action scenes are brutally and fluidly rendered. Otherwise, Outside takes place in hotel rooms, drawing rooms and police stations and relies on both strong performances by Dean and Chaney and the Universal Jewel production values to keep us interested. Outside the Law affords the fun of watching the gangster genre as it's taking shape. This is one of the first psychologically driven gangster stories. Molly re-enlists with Sylva's gang due to disillusionment with both Chang and her father whom she believes to be guilty.
Browning also glamorizes crime using suave characters and attractive leads.
He then does an about face, stumping for criminal rehabilitation with a sentimental pitch for domestic bliss between Bill and Molly. And don't forget the exertions of good Chang Low and the household religion. There's a mighty streak of Victorian sentiment running through this tough action picture. The old-fashioned charm of its hypocrisy gives Outside the Law much of its appeal today. This sounds patronizing, but contemporary gangster films with conventions we take for granted, such as Donnie Brasco , will be lucky to date so well.