History of Violence
| Year: | 2005 |
| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | David Cronenberg |
| Cast: | Viggo Mortenson, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, William Hurt, Lance Henriksen |
Hailed as David Cronenberg's straightest movie ever, it indeed was a thriller in the Hollywood vein and in no way related to his usual themes of technology or living flesh gone mad.
In fact, it was a little too straight, without even the expected cerebral element, simply playing to story of Tom (Mortenson) a small town guy, loving father and husband and small businessman. When two crooks try to hold up his diner one night, he ruthlessly despatches them with frightening ease, getting the attention of the media and being hailed a hero by his community.
It also gets the attention of a mobster from the big bad city (Harris), who shows up claiming to know Tom and calling him Joey, alluding to a dark past.
Of course, Tom does have a past he thought he'd left far behind him, one that's quickly catching up and threatening the stability he enjoys with his family and life.
When the shit hits the fan, Tom/Joey has to return to the source of the life trying to drag him back in and put things to right, the trust his wife and kids have in him badly damaged.
A straight shooting (pardon the pun) movie that showcases some great talent - especially Maria Bello - and doesn't wrap things up as neatly as you think is worth watching as a Cronenberg curio alone.
In fact, it was a little too straight, without even the expected cerebral element, simply playing to story of Tom (Mortenson) a small town guy, loving father and husband and small businessman. When two crooks try to hold up his diner one night, he ruthlessly despatches them with frightening ease, getting the attention of the media and being hailed a hero by his community.
It also gets the attention of a mobster from the big bad city (Harris), who shows up claiming to know Tom and calling him Joey, alluding to a dark past.
Of course, Tom does have a past he thought he'd left far behind him, one that's quickly catching up and threatening the stability he enjoys with his family and life.
When the shit hits the fan, Tom/Joey has to return to the source of the life trying to drag him back in and put things to right, the trust his wife and kids have in him badly damaged.
A straight shooting (pardon the pun) movie that showcases some great talent - especially Maria Bello - and doesn't wrap things up as neatly as you think is worth watching as a Cronenberg curio alone.