Force of Evil

Force of Evil is a 1948 American film noir directed by Abraham Polonsky who had already achieved a name for himself as a scriptwriter, most notably for the gritty boxing film Body and Soul 1947. Like Body and Soul, the film starred John Garfield. The film was adapted by Abraham Polonsky and Ira Wolfert from Wolferts novel Tuckers People. The film marked the first on screen acting role of Beau Bridges.

The drama tells of a lawyer, Joe Morse Garfield, working for a powerful gangster, Tucker, who wishes to consolidate and control the numbers racket in New York. This means assuming control of the many smaller numbers rackets, one of which is run by Morses older brother Leo Morse Thomas Gomez. The plot which unfolds is a terse, melodramatic thriller notable for realist location photography, almost poetic dialogue and frequent biblical allusions Cain and Abel, Judass betrayal, stigmata.Force of Evil fails to develop the excitement hinted at in the title. Makers apparently couldnt decide on the best way to present an expos of the numbers racket, winding up with neither fish nor fowl as far as hardhitting racketeer meller is concerned. A poetic, almost allegorical, interpretation keeps intruding on the tougher elements of the plot. This factor adds no distinction and only makes the going tougher...Garfield, as to be expected, comes through with a performance that gets everything out of the material furnished...On the technical side, the production fares better than storywise. The physical mounting is expertly valued the New York locale shots give authenticity and lensing by George Barnes, while a bit on the arty side, displays skilled craftsmanship. ........

Source: Wikipedia