Review of Act of Violence (1949) by Clintus M — 26 Sep 2018

This may be MGM's best film noir.

The movie's title mystifies me; it isn't appropriate or descriptive for this particular film. The title appears generic, yet the violence exists primarily internal to the two leading men.

This tense tale of betrayal and obsession gallops along at a torrid pace for all of its 82 minutes, refusing to let go.

Van Heflin's character is running from his past, a very noir-ish plotline. Robert Ryan often played the heavy but had the acting chops to take on the hero roles also. His character, Parkland, both physically and psychologically wounded, seemingly insane and bent on revenge at any cost, is ahead of its time cinematically. Neither leading man is who he seems to be in the film's introduction.

This is earliest role I've seen from Janet Leigh, maybe best described as "cute as a button" in her crucial role as Heflin's character's wife. Her great acting chops are on display.

This film shares elements with the outstanding drama Cape Fear, the 1991 Scorsese version more than the original 1962 film. It's on the nature of true guilt and innocence, as well the more obvious betrayal and revenge motives.

The contrast between small town-bright lighting and big city-dark, shadowy, moody, for which noir is well-known is critical here. It reminds me, as does the film in a way, of Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt. The contrast of opposites between Ryan and Heflin's characters and their transformations during the film is the key to understanding the film's message.

Act of Violence's breathless climax neatly wraps up the issues of honor and guilt, but I won't give it all away because you must experience it unadulterated. Suffice to sum it up as the elements of social justice, realism, and suspense are perfectly realized in the B-film noir genre by Fred Zinneman.