Act Of Violence (1949)

[Groggy]

Heflin is way under-appreciated and Ryan is an undisputed God of screen actors.

Heflin's never really impressed me as an actor. His best performance is probably The Raid where he's marginally more complex than his usual stiff straight-arrow.

You won't get any disagreements from me over Robert Ryan. At least providing I can keep God's Little Acre out of sight and mind...

[T.H.]

It's been a while since I've last seen Act of Violence, but I can't think of many movies that handle their characters better - the films almost pulls a 'double turn', which is incredibly impressive considering Ryan's character was almost a precursor to Ahnald's Termahnayta in the first half of the film or so.

Robert Ryan is one of the greatest screen actors of all time. You either agree with that statement or will eventually.

I like Heflin but I can see how some can say he's boring or generic. I happen to like his understated presence and think there's a dark quality about him that works in said movie.

[drinkanddestroy]

Heflin's never really impressed me as an actor. His best performance is probably The Raid where he's marginally more complex than his usual stiff straight-arrow.

Have you ever seen Possessed (1947)? It is a psychological drama with Joan Crawford; it played on TCM last week. Van Heflin plays a totally different sort of character in this movie, and he is simply terrific. (I only saw part of it -- cuz I have no interest in psychological stuff --  so I can't rate the movie). But if you are looking for a Heflin performance where he is not the "usual stiff straight-arrow," you should check this out. He is great  

[Groggy]

No but it sounds interesting, thanks.

[drinkanddestroy]

I see there is one previous post on that movie, by cj: http://www.fistful-of-leone.com/forums/index.php?topic=1822.msg147007#msg147007 Though he doesn't think much of the movie, he specifically praises Heflin's performance  

[drinkanddestroy]

FYI: TCM is playing Possessed TODAY, Monday 8/6/12, at 12:45 PM Eastern time, followed by Act of Violence.

[drinkanddestroy]

Groggy: Have you seen Johnny Eager (1941), for which Heflin won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance as a literature-quoting alcoholic buddy of gangster Robert Taylor?

The movie itself is nuthin special (I saw it not too long ago; I'd probably have rated it about a 6/10). But if you're looking for a terrific performance by Heflin, in which he is definitely not playing a stiff straight arrow, check out this movie.

[Groggy]

I've missed that one Drink. Thanks for the rec though.

[drinkanddestroy]

Also, check out the noir The Prowler. Heflin is certainly not a good guy there.

[drinkanddestroy]

just saw Act of Violence for the second time, and I have a TOTALLY different opinion now. This baby gets an 8.5/10 

does any noir bad guy look tougher and meaner in a hat, coat, and gun than Robert Ryan does here?

[titoli]

Great one. The finale is easy to predict but the photography, the pace, the suspense is first rate. Ryan's laughing on the phone is terrifying. 9\10

[drinkanddestroy]

The finale is easy to predict

really? you predicted Heflin dying and Ryan making his peace with him?

[titoli]

really? you predicted Heflin dying and Ryan making his peace with him?

The moment the killer decided to ambush Ryan. That is Hollywood common fare.

[drinkanddestroy]

Eddie Muller's intro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmpETzYkdsg&feature=youtu.be

Eddie Muller's closing comments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvy5L2KbwmM&feature=youtu.be

[Jessica Rabbit]

Thanks, D & D.