Based on an obscure crime novel titled ‘Tucker’s People’, Abraham Polonsky’s ‘Force of Evil’, attained classic status since its release in
1948. That was the time when the genre of film Noir was flourishing on
the fringes of the Hollywood Studio System, where the shadowy attributes
of it, were allowed their fullest expression.
 This gritty and intriguing drama is really immersed in greed,
cynicism and corruption of the soul, as embodies to perfection by the
late John Garfield - in one of his most memorable and outstanding
appearance during his relatively short but unique film career.
Garfield is superbly cast here, as Joe Morse - a lawyer whose
connection to a ruthless rackateer nearly destroyed his sense of
morality. His involvement in a crooked numbers racket, could prove
harmful to his high-strung older brother (played brilliantly by Thomas
Gomez), whose small-time policy bank stands bankruptcy when the rigged
numbers pay off - a financial windfall for Joe Morse the powerful boss.
Joe’s corruption is tempered only by remnants of guilt, and his
redeeming attraction to Edna (Marie Windsor), his brother’s Secretary,
whose common decency gnaws at Joe’s rotten conscience.
But, before Joe Morse could rise from his self-made hell, Force of
Evil takes him to the darkest pit of tragic humanity - a downward spiral
perfectly expressed through George Barnes’s stark cinematography.
In style and substance Force of Evil is quintessential noir, its plot
unfolding with uncompromising toughness and intelligence. It is
therefore a pity that director Abraham Polonsky was subsequently
victimized by the Hollywood blacklist, curtailing a promising career for
two decades.
However, it is only fitting, then that Polonsky’s remarkable debut is
now acclaimed in US film history as one of the finest noirs of its kind.
 Plot - An unethical lawyer, with an older brother he wants to help,
becomes a partner with a client in the numbers racket.
Cast - John Garfield (Joe Morse), Thomas Gomez (Leo Morse), Marie
Windsor (Edna Tucker), Roy Roberts (Ben Tucker).
Director - Abraham Polonsky.
Run Time - 78 min.
Release Date - December 25, 1948.
Colour - Black & White.
Trivia - This film was selected to the National Film Registry -
Library of Congress in 1994. John Garfield died at the age of 39 on May
21 1952 from coronary thrombosis and his funeral was mobbed by thousands
of fans, in the largest attendance ever for an actor, at that time,
since silent screen idol Rudolph Valentino.
(JK)
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