On F List of Movie Reviews

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Force of Evil (1948)

Rate: 4
Viewed: 3/14

ForceE
3/14: Force of Evil is an unconvincing movie.

Although John Garfield gives a virtuoso acting performance, everybody else is underwhelming and overwhelmed by him at the same time. Ditto for the supposed romance between John Garfield's character and Doris. I've seen better fake wooing than that.

The story is muddled and hard to follow. Perhaps I'll have to be born during that era to understand it well enough. As confused as I am, after not seeing his brother for many years, why would Joe Morse suddenly care about him? Of all the characters, I don't know who the hell I'm supposed to rooting for. At least, it's well-photographed and looks very nice in black and white.

All in all, what kills Force of Evil is the constant detachment throughout.