Force of Evil (1948)
Directed by Abraham Polonsky

Film Review

Force of Evil is an unusual yet remarkably effective example of classic film noir which combines the familiar trappings of the American gangster film with a serious polemic on the dangers of rampant capitalism.  An essential element of film noir is moral ambiguity, so this style is certainly appropriate for a film which draws disturbing parallels between organised crime and supposedly lawful corporate activity.

This was Abraham Polonsky's first work as a director - he had previously established himself as one of Hollywood's most promising screenwriters with Body and Soul (1947). Unfortunately, this was also very nearly his last film.  Polonsky was a committed Communist at a time when this was not a good thing to be.  When he refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1951, he was blacklisted from working in Hollywood and it would be 21 years before he directed another film.

The Force of Evil employs an unusual mix of styles - the heightened expressionism of film noir, strikingly realist exterior shots and a quasi-documentary narrative format.  These work together remarkably well to evoke a sombre mood of confinement and unremitting oppression, but with a note of optimism.  The beautifully composed noir cinematography, with its stark lighting and unsettling camera angles, conveys the intense psychological trauma experienced by the two main protagonists in the drama, skilfully played by John Garfield and Thomas Gomez.   There is a subtle interplay between the familiar film noir themes of corruption, betrayal and guilt and the humanist themes of hope and redemption, suggestive of the eternal conflict between Man's two opposing natures, the desire for good and his propensity for evil.

Film Synopsis

Joe Morse is a young Wall Street lawyer who isn't going to allow his conscience to get in the way of his making his first million.   Working for the racketeer Ben Tucker, Joe has converted an illicit numbers operation into a lawful yet very lucrative lottery.  However, Tucker isn't content with the modest earnings this brings his way.  He intends to rig the outcome of the lottery so that he can drive all of his smaller competitors to ruin, allowing him to take over their businesses.  One of these small outfits just happens to be owned by Joe's older brother, Leo...