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A History of Violence (2005)

Director: David Cronenberg

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Movie review

From Time Out London

Though this is certainly Cronenberg’s most ‘mainstream’ movie in years, the fact that it’s so immediately enjoyable as a terrific thriller does not diminish its less obvious virtues. Indeed, its apparent effortlessness in transcending simple generic concerns to interrogate a range of issues surrounding violence, justice, heroism and identity should not distract attention from its subtly subversive critique of the American Dream (or should one say nightmare?). Diner proprietor Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen), his lawyer wife Edie (Maria Bello) and their two kids seem to have a pretty idyllic existence in smalltown America until a couple of gleefully murderous hoods turn up by chance at the eaterie, and an order for coffee escalates to terrorising Tom and his customers. Quick thinking on his part leads to reluctant celebrity – and, still more unwelcome – further visits, from sinister wise guys hinting that Tom may not be quite the clean-cut Ordinary Joe he says he is. Besides playing fast and loose (in the most elegantly rigorous way, of course) with family-under-siege thriller conventions, Cronenberg deftly undermines narrative expectations by implying that happy families may in fact be forms of imprisonment, and that trying to conform to an American way may involve lying to ourselves and others about the very human capacity for monstrosity. Here, as a repressed past erupts with a vengeance, violence begets violence, and safe, traditional ethics are swiftly revealed as virtually irrelevant. All this is executed with Cronenberg's now customarily brilliant wit, bravura style and perfect pacing, not to mention peak-form performances from a superb cast that memorably includes William Hurt and Ed Harris. Unlike the tough but unremarkable pulp fiction of the original graphic novel, the film (which differs from the book in numerous important respects) succeeds not only in terms of action and suspense but as cautionary fable, historical allegory, social satire and moral disquisition. In short, it’s marvellous, and up there with ‘Spider’ as Cronenberg’s very best work.

Author: GA 2005-09-27 12:11:55

Time Out London Issue 1832: September 28-October 5 2005

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User reviews of this film

BrianOH said...

Posted on Feb 09 2008 19:53 I thought this was an entertaining movie and thouroughly enjoyed it.
There was good acting by classy actors. All of the main actors were
a credit to the movie and the director. Obviously for that to happen,
the director did a fine job. To put it a little more into perspective
however, this movie sought to appeal to our basic instincts of the
"good" guy beating the bad guy. This is probably partly because
it rarely happens in real life, but quite often in Reel Life. From that
perspective it has similarities to Rocky and Rambo. The movie has an
interesting twist insofar as most of us think that the "hero" is not
actually the bad guy initially. As he begins to get into the car with
Harris, it appears he will go to "Philly" and all will be sorted out.
The one thing that I found unrealistic and unlikely was the reaction
of his family to his alter ego, Joey. I guess that the sex scene on the
stairs was to show us the double standards of his wife to the extra
persona of her husband. I gave the movie 7 out of 10. That may appear
a little light on, but that is to reflect why this movie has the appeal
that it does. Although highly entertaining, it is because of the main
reasons it is appealing. My vote reflects my opinion of the story, the
screenplay, the directing, the casting, and the acting. It is good to
see good actors employed to entertain and show their wares. Unlike some
movies that I have seen recently where acting talent has been utterly
wasted - a la "Little Fish".

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