Review of:A History of Violence (2005)
Director:David Cronenberg
Rating:R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use.
Starring:Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, William Hurt, Ashton Holmes
Since the beginning of time man has had a problem with a History of Violence. Ever since Cain decided to end the life of his brother Abel man has been subjugated to the emotion.
Have a disagreement?
Answer-Violence
Can’t pay the bills on time and you need a quick influx of cash?
Violence.
Since it’s inception it has been the last resort for some, and the first resort for many. In the film, “A History of Violence” we visit with a man who for whatever reason can’t seem to escape it.
Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is a small town kind of guy who everyone knows. He minds his own business, conducts himself with honor, and generally keeps to himself. He has a loving wife (Maria Bello), and a son who might be more like him than either one of them knows. Enter this quaint little picture a pair of criminals who feed on the weak. They enter Tom Stalls diner looking for an easy victim. What they receive for their troubles is something else entirely.
Tom Stall slowly sees the life he has built for himself slowly tumble out of control. The two men that he has stopped from perpetrating their crime draw unwanted media attention his way. His face is plastered across the nation as a small town hero who didn’t back down. This one single act of heroism is what starts a chain of events that Tom might not survive or even understand. When three men show up claiming that he is someone that took something from them from the past the tension gets geared up, and so does Tom.
Director David Cronenberg (Crash) does another excellent job of leading the audience around. Is Tom Stall a man with a hidden past or is this just a case of mistaken identity? You will never know until he lets you in on the secret.
This is an excellent revenge film, and I could feel myself wishing that they would give some inclination as to if there will be a sequel. At times it is too graphic, but it suits the topic of the film. Viggo Mortenson has put in another excellent performance to add to his collection.
