The movie begins slowly, methodically, and builds increasingly toward a devastating climax.
A History of Violence (2005)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 192
Fresh: 166
Rotten:26
Average Rating: 7.9/10
Consensus: A History of Violence raises compelling and thoughtful questions about the nature of violence.
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Genre: Thriller, Theatrical Release, Comic Book
Theatrical Release:Sep 30, 2005 Wide
Box Office: $31,408,459
Synopsis: Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is living a happy and quiet life with his lawyer wife (Maria Bello) and their two children in the small town of Millbrook, Indiana, but one night their idyllic existence... Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is living a happy and quiet life with his lawyer wife (Maria Bello) and their two children in the small town of Millbrook, Indiana, but one night their idyllic existence is shattered when Tom foils a vicious attempted robbery in his diner. Sensing danger, he takes action and saves his customers and friends in the self-defense killings of two-sought-after criminals. Heralded as a hero, Tom’s life is changed overnight, attracting a national media circus, which forces him into the spotlight. Uncomfortable with his newfound celebrity, Tom tries to return to the normalcy of his ordinary life only to be confronted by a mysterious and threatening man (Ed Harris) who arrives in town believing Tom is the man who’s wronged him in the past. As Tom and his family fight back against this case of mistaken identity and struggle to cope with their changed reality, they are forced to confront their relationships and the divisive issues which surface as a result. A History of Violence is directed by acclaimed filmmaker David Cronenberg (Crash, Spider, Dead Ringers) from a screenplay by Josh Olson. The film stars Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings, Hidalgo), Maria Bello (The Cooler), William Hurt (The Village, Oscar-winning Kiss of the Spider Woman), Ed Harris (Pollack) and Ashton Holmes. The film is produced by Chris Bender and JC Spink of Benderspink (The Butterfly Effect, Monster-in-Law) with Justis Greene, Roger E. Kass and Josh Braun serving as executive producers. The motion picture shot in Toronto and in various countryside locations, including Millbrook, Ontario for 11 weeks from September through to November 19th, 2004. New Line Cinema will release A History of Violence on September 30th, 2005. The film will make its world premiere at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival in May. [More]
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, William Hurt, Ed Harris
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Stephen McHattie, Peter MacNeill
Director: David Cronenberg
Director: David Cronenberg
Screenwriter: Josh Olson
Producer: David Cronenberg, Josh Braun, Justis Greene
Composer: Howard Shore
Studio: New Line Cinema
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Reviews for A History of Violence
The tension builds in a slow boil, then ignites furiously when we're not quite ready for it.
Shows its stuff as both suspenseful, eloquent storytelling, while giving rise to larger cultural questions connected to the entrenched institutionalization of aggression as a major means of problem solving in this country.
A History of Violence develops with the singleness of purpose, and the rigor, of a mathematical demonstration, one that begins with a commonly accepted truth and ends with brains spattered across the floor.
Cronenberg's masterful, intelligent and gripping meta-thriller leaves us pondering about our enduringly perverse desire for alternative realities, in which surrogate violent alter egos run righteously and preposterously amok.
A remarkably convincing examination of heroism, hero worship, and the seductive allure of villainy.
A tantalisingly explosive film about inner conflicts and secrets... a sublime psychological thriller in a western setting.
A strange David Cronenberg movie, and not in the usual audaciously morbid way. A brooding, contemplative picture that's tough, tight and masterfully controlled.
Lo más reciente del canadiense David Cronenberg es un sólido thriller, casi de factura clásica, sobre las ramificaciones de la violencia.
I have no doubt that the humor is intentional, but it serves to undercut the whole thematic conflict.
There are elements in this film that are 100% Cronenberg (the beautiful violence we so rarely see these days, subtle weird humor), but this is not your typical Cronenberg
See this movie -- I promise it won't be like any other movie you've ever seen, and may well change the way you look at violence in the movies.
Tematicamente ambicioso, demonstra ter segurança suficiente da força de sua narrativa ao permitir que o espectador saia do cinema sem estar completamente certo de como tudo terminou. E esta talvez seja uma de suas maiores virtudes.
It is less an exploration of violence in America and more of a portrayal of a prototypical alpha male.
Latest News for A History of Violence
September 26, 2008:
Paramount Taking Child's One Shot with Olson ![]()
Paramount has hired "A History of Violence" screenwriter Josh Olson to pen an adaptation of Lee Child's "One Shot" novel, about "an ex-Army policeman who...gets tangled up with... More...
December 24, 2007:
RT on DVD: Rush Hour 3, The Kingdom, and More!
There's action and drama to be found this week, and not just with your family at Christmas dinner. And if you couldn't make it out of town for the holidays, you're in luck; this... More...
October 02, 2007:
Cory Goodman to Remake Cronenberg's Brood
You guys! Check it out! You aren't going to believe this, but...it's a news item about a remake! More...
September 20, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Jovovich vs. Alba in Multiplex Mayhem
Jodie Foster will find herself in the middle of a catfight over the number one spot this weekend. The star of current chart-topper The Brave One will face challenges from Milla... More...
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