A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

ENTERTAINMENT

RELEASED 30 September 2005

With a title that sounds like either a description of director David Cronenberg’s previous output (Crash, Spider, The Fly) or indeed a description of America itself, ‘A History of Violence’ is also his most mainstream picture to date. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) lives with his wife (Maria Bello) and their two children in small town middle America, where he runs a quiet coffee shop. One night, two men bring terror to the shop and Tom is forced to act with fatal results. The aftermath sees Tom hailed as a hero and the local press arrive in their droves. The attention also brings a mysterious man (Ed Harris) to town who claims Tom isn’t who he says he is. Tom vehemently denies any knowledge of the man’s claims but his family are soon in terrible danger regardless.

Unsurprisingly, ‘A History of Violence’ contains some graphic violence (which is beautifully choreographed, and creates black humour from the brutality) and some frank sexual scenes which take place in an realistic marriage. This modern thriller is above-all-else concerned with identity and history, and whether the two can ever be changed or even erased. Is it possible to ever really know someone, even if you’re married to them? Mortensen, Bello and Harris are all on top form, with Mortensen finally breaking free from his career-making role in ‘Lord of the Rings’. 

You’re never quite sure where ‘A History of Violence’ is going next, and the smart subtexts ensure repeated viewing value.

FOUR OUT OF FIVE