DVD Review: A History of Violence

DVD Reviews

By Patrick Luce and Jeff Swindoll Mar 17, 2006, 19:34 GMT

There are no bad performances in A History of Violence. David Cronenberg’s direction is top notch, Viggo Mortensen delivers a fine performance, Maria Bello is even better, and both Ed Harris and William Hurt are evil and excellent in their supporting roles.

The movie takes you on a journey of a man haunted by a past, a woman who discovers there may be more to her husband than she ever imagined, and a family that tries to remain strong after violence threatens to tear them apart. Because of different aspects of the film's plot, the review has included [Spoiler] warnings before certain scenes in the film are discussed.Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is a devoted family man that runs the local diner in Millbrook, Indiana. He’s married with a lovely wife (Maria Bello), teenage son (Ashton Holmes) and a small daughter (Heidi Hayes). He appears to be well loved in the town, people call out his name in greeting as he walks down the street. One night, two thugs (Greg Bryk and Stephen McHattie) come into his diner at closing time and attempt to rob the place. When the life of his employees and customers are threatened, Tom springs into action and kills both thugs ([Spoiler] one thug gets his brains blown out quite gruesomely). Suddenly he’s a media star and his face is flashed over the local airwaves as well as CNN, etc. Several days later, Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris, with a scarred face, creepy eye and deadly voice) shows up with his two henchmen. He says that Tom is actually Joey Cusak and they know each other from Philly. [Spoiler] He even points out that his face and torn eye are the results of him spending too much time with Joey and a piece of barbwire. Tom’s wife is confused and Tom doesn’t know what Fogarty’s talking about. That’s as much of the plot as I’m going to give you because finding out what’s going on is the fun part in this movie.

Mortensen finds himself surrounded by violence

While you don’t want to spoil much of the film’s plot in a review, Cronenberg is really on top of his game with this film. He not only examines “violence,” but how it affects everyone. At the same time, he also explores how everyone ([Spoiler] including Bello in a scene Cronenberg calls “Gangster Sex”) has a bit of a darker side that they might hide from each other. With this subplot, he shows that we are all capable of violence – [Spoiler] even Holmes lashes out at the school bully at one point and puts him in the hospital. Cronenberg also explores (although briefly) how the media responds to acts of violence and even glorifies it. [Spoiler] Mortensen brutally (even if justifiably) kills the two hold-up men in his restaurant, and becomes an instant hero and local celebrity. He is greeted by a cheering crowd as he leaves the hospital and by the media as he arrives home. His son thinks it is “cool” and his diner is packed with customers when he returns to eat. Cronenberg never fully expands on this, but the subtle hint is there which sets up the growing problems. In the end, Mortensen is forced to face his problems with even more violence at the cost of his quiet life, and possibly his family.The movie is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Special features include an hour and six minute documentary called “Acts of Violence.” You can either choose to watch any of the 8 “Acts” of use the play all function. It has interviews with director David Cronenberg, screenwriter Josh Olson, director of photography Peter Suschizky, producer Chris Bender, actors Viggo Mortensen, Greg Bryk, Stephen McHattie, Ed Harris, Maria Bello, William Hurt and many of the other actors and crew. Cronenberg re-uses lots of behind the scenes personnel and many have worked with Cronenberg before and there’s a definite family atmosphere.

Ed Harris is disturbing and creepy as Carl Fogarty

This also features lots of behind the scenes footage and even some funny bits about “Fish Friday” and Mortensen using some of Bello’s Philly relatives for vocal coaches. There’s a 3 minute deleted “dream sequence” scene that has a commentary by Cronenberg. There’s even a 7-minute documentary that covers the shooting of the deleted scene. Cronenberg talks about how this scene was too much like a scene shot in one of his past films, but how the dream sequence fits ideas he has used in other films.“Violence’s History” is a nearly two minute featurette that covers some trims that the MPAA insisted on, but seconds longer versions appeared in the international cut. The MPAA is screwy and this feature proves it! They didn’t like a few blood squirts but didn’t say anything about Stephen McHattie’s diner floor death scene?!? “Too Commercial for Cannes” runs nearly 9 minutes and is about Cronenberg taking the film to the Cannes Film Festival. David Cronenberg also provides an interesting director’s commentary on the feature. Finally there’s a trailer gallery with Violence’s theatrical trailer and a preview trailer for other New Line movies.

Mortensen and Bello seem to have the typical American family

A History of Violence is a very good film from David Cronenberg and features some fine performances. Since it’s about violence it’s really not one for the kiddies. Viggo Mortensen and Maira Bello both provide great performances, and add an extra depth to the family aspect of the movie. Cronenberg handles the subject well, and makes sure that one aspect of the plot never overwhelms some of the different subplots. Definitely check this one out. A History of Violence is available at Amazon. It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a March 20th release. Visit the DVD's database for more information.

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Cindy DerksonMar 22nd, 2006 - 04:15:08

This movie sucks with a capital SSSSS! It makes no sense and the people or person who wrote the review must be blind and deaf!!!! The only good part is we were lucky enough to rent the one that skipped so we can bring it back. And we thought Rent was bad ('will you light my candle please'). This movie makes no sense at all and is one of the worst movies I've seen in a long long time!

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Jeff SwindollMar 23rd, 2006 - 15:10:13

So what exactly do you have against blind and deaf people?

But seriously, this appears to be a very polarizing movie. I've read on other forums where some people love it and others hate it. Que sera sera.
I stand by my review.

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Patrick LMar 23rd, 2006 - 23:00:59

My wife watched about an hour of it and walked away. She too hated it. So I agree with Jeff. I think this is a movie that you are going to hate or love. If you look at the director's films, you can see most of his movies have that type of hate or love reaction to them.

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LaNeahMar 29th, 2006 - 19:04:43

yes i watched A History Of Violence and for the most part is was good.Yes and Viggo Mortensen did a very outstanding proformence in the movie.But it was not HIS CUP OF TEA. Why i say this is because he is defently the Hero type like him be king in The Lord Of The Ring Return Of The King.Now if Viggo was born and lived in the Middle Ages he would make on Hell Of A Good King.

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JasonApr 7th, 2006 - 20:23:38

This movie was both well acted and brilliantly directed. Anyone who finds this film to be below average should stick to films like 'Larry the Cable Guy:Health Inspector'. I think that would be more your speed.

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JohnApr 8th, 2006 - 22:11:52

'well acted and brilliantly directed' man I must have seen a different version. That movie could have been so good if it wasn't so simple. For those who haven't seen it just watch the previews and save yourself some time.

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RusselNov 22nd, 2006 - 22:37:59

This was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. There

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Kylie DerksonMar 22nd, 2007 - 21:36:45

I watched this movie with my mom Cindy Derkson Awhile ago and i can honestly say that it was the biggest waste of a Hour of my life, that i'll never get back. I have to agree with my mom's comment that the only good part about it was that the one that we had rented skipped!! That movie is the definition of crappy!!!

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SeanApr 4th, 2007 - 08:02:36

I find it funny that some people who didn't like it didn't understand it! Ummm...first you must be stupid not to get the movie and second it is a good movie; put yourself in his shoes what would you do?

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MaritaJun 10th, 2007 - 11:51:18

Jeff Swindoll, you're a bit of an idiot.

No, not because of your review, (albeit, it was wide of the mark), but to the comment 'So what exactly do you have against blind and deaf people?' to Cindy Derkson.

She quite clearly doesn’t have a problem with deaf or blind people. She was using it to illustrate a point about your review. That you obviously hadn't heard or seen the movie as it was in fact, terrible.

You attempting to claim the moral high ground by portraying this person’s analogy as an offence to disabled people just because you don't like her opinion isn't just in poor taste, it's idiotic. Which I've previously noted.

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