Chez Classics at GV with John Anzalone: Act of Violence

Join John Anzalone and the wonderful Chez Artiste folks for an in-depth exploration of this Film Noir Classic. John will give a brief introduction prior to the screening of the film, followed by a lively lecture/ Q&A!

Tickets available for purchase at the box office and online, free parking on-site.

Directed by Fred Zinnemann, Act of Violence follows Van Heflin’s Frank R. Enley as he’s pursued by a menacing figure (Robert Ryan’s Joe Parkson) from his past. Filmmaker Zinnemann, armed with a screenplay by Robert L. Richards, does a terrific job of instantly luring the viewer into the deliberately-paced proceedings, as Act of Violence kicks off with a striking, gripping opening stretch that effectively establishes Heflin’s thoroughly agreeable central character – with the compelling atmosphere heightened by the initial mystery behind Ryan’s character’s motives. From there, Act of Violence segues into a mostly-compelling midsection that’s been suffused with a whole host of engrossing sequences and set-pieces (eg Frank makes a confession to his wife (Janet Leigh’s Edith), Joe meets up with an exceedingly shady lawyer and his trigger-happy cohort, etc) – which, when coupled with a satisfying (and almost impressively grim) final stretch, ultimately does cement the picture’s place as a first-class film noir. (David Nusair)