The End of Violence

1997

The End of Violence (1997)

TOMATOMETER

29%
10%

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

44%

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Movie Info

Wim Wenders is fascinated by the paradox that is Los Angeles. On one level, it is the stereotypical sun-drenched urban paradise characterized by a laid-back, everything-goes attitude, but on another plane it is a violent place where brutality is subtly celebrated -- and even promoted. The End of Violence centers on a diverse group of Angelenos whose lives interconnect after each is touched by violence. Mike Max (Bill Pullman) is one of Hollywood's more prominent directors of schlocky action movies. His films are among the bloodiest and cruelest in the business, and the moral implications of his business bother the money-hungry Max not a whit. He is so consumed with his business that he has little time for his increasingly frustrated wife Paige (Andie MacDowell). She plans to escape the situation by doing volunteer work in Guatemala. It is only after a gorgeous stunt woman named Cat (Traci Lind) is injured on the set that Max shows even the slightest compassion. The producer's life changes dramatically, however, after he is kidnapped by two inept but potentially dangerous hit men. Max escapes and goes into hiding at the home of his Mexican gardener and remains in seclusion there for over a month. Meanwhile, a police investigation to find Max is headed by detective Doc Block (Loren Dean). During his search, he encounters Cat and becomes fascinated by the beautiful girl -- who is secretly in contact with Max. In a parallel story, Ray Bering (Gabriel Byrne) runs a high-tech surveillance operation out of the Griffith Park observatory and with his assistant records daily events in the city. Sometimes he visits with his father (noted director Samuel Fuller), a retired military veteran. The FBI is after Bering's system and he is forced to go into hiding as well. In making this film, Wenders and screenwriter Nicholas Klein decided to explore their topic without exploiting it; thus it features very little actual violence and that which does occur, happens off screen.

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Cast

Bill Pullman
as Mike Max
Andie MacDowell
as Paige Stockard
Gabriel Byrne
as Ray Bering
Loren Dean
as Doe Block
Traci Lind
as Cat
Daniel Benzali
as Brice Phelps
K. Todd Freeman
as Six
John Diehl
as Lowell Lewis
Pruitt Taylor Vince
as Frank Cray
Peter Horton
as Brian
Udo Kier
as Zoltan Koyacs
Enrique J. Castillo
as Ramon
Nicole Ari Parker
as Kenya
Rosalind Chao
as Claire
Marisol Padilla Sánchez
as Mathilda
Marshall Bell
as Sheriff Call
Frederic Forrest
as MacDermot
Samuel Fuller
as Louis Bering
Chris Douridas
as Technician
Richard Cummings Jr.
as Tyler
Soledad St. Hilaire
as Anita
Sal Lopez
as Tito
Ulises Cuadra
as Jose
Aymara De Llano
as Florinda
Henry Silva
as Juan-Emilio
Ulysses Cuadra
as Jesus
Andy Alvarez
as Philipo
Karen Ross
as Fluffball
Reg Rogers
as Jack
Samantha Phillips
as Singer
Michael Massee
as Guy in Bar
O-Lan Jones
as Barmaid
Black Encyclopedia
as Rapper #1
MeShell Ndegeocello
as Malike
Victoria Duffy
as Female Cop
Mili Avital
as Featured Performer
Kevin Chesley
Teresa De La Riva
Rick Edwards
Russell Gethering
Mark Hardisty
Daryl Hemmerich
Irene Hilleary
Chris Howell
Judith Anne Nielsen
Ailinda Camile Pena
Kerry Rossal
Virgil Smith
Kris Thompson
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Critic Reviews for The End of Violence

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (10)

A longwinded exercise in pretentious confusion.

Jul 12, 2002 | Rating: 2/4
Globe and Mail
Top Critic

Skip the movie but buy the CD.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 2/4
USA Today
Top Critic

This goes on for two hours and two minutes. When I staggered out of the theater, I asked if Clinton was still president.

Jan 1, 2000
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic

A meandering mess, a plodding dud.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review…
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic

Offers viewers opportunities to ponder a variety of diverse subjects, but its overall entertainment value is less than one might hope for.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
ReelViews
Top Critic

A muddled, sentimental Euro-American hash, redeemed here and there from its fatal purposelessness by a few moments that remind us we're in the presence of a genuine cinematic visionary.

Jan 1, 2000
Salon.com
Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (34)

Audience Reviews for The End of Violence

Adventures in paranoia.

Anthony Valletta
Anthony Valletta

Super Reviewer

Interesting Wenders film that really defied my expectations. A great character piece and drama.

Christopher Brown
Christopher Brown

Super Reviewer

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