A History of Violence
Tom Stall had the perfect life...until he became a hero.
Overview
An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
A History of Violence explores the duality of human nature and the seductive nature of violence. It can be viewed as a commentary on America's relationship with violence, questioning whether it is ingrained in the nation's identity and how it shapes individuals and communities. The film's ambiguous morality forces viewers to confront their own perspectives on justice and self-defense.
- Viggo Mortensen's nuanced performance as a man with a hidden past is captivating.
- The film masterfully blends genres, shifting from small-town drama to brutal violence, creating a constant sense of unease.
- David Cronenberg's direction is sharp and unflinching, exploring themes of identity, violence, and the consequences of choices.
- The suspenseful narrative keeps you guessing about Tom Stall's true identity and the forces chasing him.
Fun Facts
- Ed Harris's character, Carl Fogarty, has a scarred eye, referencing a similar scar in Cronenberg's film 'Scanners'.
- The film is based on a graphic novel of the same name by John Wagner and Vince Locke, but deviates significantly from the source material.
- Maria Bello's performance as Edie Stall was praised for its authenticity and willingness to portray the character's vulnerability and strength.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"Tom Stall had the perfect life...until he became a hero."
Deutsch
DE
Title:
"Tom Stall hatte das perfekte Leben … bis er zum Helden wurde."
Italiano
IT
Title: A History of Violence
"Tom Stall aveva una vita perfetta ... prima di diventare un eroe"
Français
FR
Title: A history of violence
"Tout le monde a quelque chose à cacher."
Türkçe
TR
Title: Şiddetin Tarihçesi
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suomi
FI
Title:
""
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
Probably Cronenberg's most mundane work, but that's not even remotely a knock against _A History of Violence_. I hear tell that fans of the comic don't much like this big screen re-telling, but I've never read it, so I'm gonna go ahead and really enjoy it anyway.
_Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._
We start with images of two rather brutal hoodlums who have robbed and massacred the staff at a roadside motel and then sort of follow them into a town where "Tom" (Viggo Mortensen) runs the diner. They stop by one afternoon, intent on causing a bit of mayhem, only to discover that their host is a bit more capable of defending himself than they'd anticipated. Quickly "Tom" is lauded as an hero, and wife "Edie" (Maria Bello) and kids "Jack" (Ashton Holmes) and "Sarah" (Heidi Hayes) are proud to have their dad at home. What he hadn't anticipated, though, is that the publicity would attract the attention of one-eyed gangster "Fogarty" (Ed Harris) who arrives and starts calling him "Joey". Who's "Joey"? Well we quickly find out that nothing is as it seems and we gradually begin to realise that the past always has an habit of catching up with you. This is a violent film, but oddly enough I felt it rather visually tame as the pieces start to fall into place and the arrival of William Hurt signals an escalation that cleverly marries the comically menacing with the somewhat predictable conclusion. There's not a great deal of dialogue here, though not quite on the Clint Eastwood scale, and Mortensen holds it together increasingly well as we move along. It's one of the few films that I feel could have added half an hour or so, just so we get to grips a bit better with the characterisations and concomitant baggage, but as it is - it's well worth a look.
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - 2005
William Hurt
WRITING (Adapted Screenplay) - 2005
Josh Olson
Media
Clip
Settling the Score
Clip
I Shoulda Killed You Back in Philly
Trailer
A History of Violence (Trailer)