A History of Violence Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 647

Average Rating: 3/4

# of Ratings: 390

Theatrical Release Date: 09/23/2005

Language: English

Genre: Drama, Crime

MPAA Rating: R

Director: David Cronenberg

Actors: Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, William Hurt, Maria Bello, Ashton Holmes, Peter MacNeill

Plot: Set in a small town, a calm family has it's husband deemed a hero by stopping a violent act. This brings on old thoughts and feelings from a long time ago which brings trouble to the table.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 05/30/2019

The type of movie Paul Haggis's "Crash" thought it was back in 2005, "A History of Violence" is an incredibly ambitious film that evolves as its story unfolds.

mitchellyoung - wrote on 07/16/2012

Casting aside most of his signature weirdness, Cronenberg directs a dark and nuanced portrait of revenge and anger. The film's darker themes are juxtaposed with its broader action sequences and the film has a smartness to it that weighs on every scene. William Hurt is a scene stealer as the film's main villain.

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 03/23/2012

Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) becomes a local hero after killing two mobster’s creating trouble at the diner he was working in. Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) visits him and claims that Tom is actually a gangster named Joey Cusack. Richie Cusack (William Hurt) calls Tom to go back to Philadelphia. Soundtrack was decent and acting were solid. This reminded me of Drive, but a poor version since it lacked certain elements to make it more engaging and characters were uninteresting. Action was sufficient and drama with the wife and kid weres enlightening in a sense. History of Violence is a good witty film on trust, family, survival and acting in certain situations.

Yojimbo
Movie God

"A History Of Violence" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 07/07/2012

When a family man and owner of a small town diner foils a hold up by a pair of ruthless killers, his resulting fame attracts the attention of some big city mobsters who insist that they know him by another name.

Yet another movie based upon a graphic novel, A History Of Violence is an action thriller with a twist. Although the premise could be easily mistaken for your average 90's style Jean-Claude Van Damme straight to DVD standard nonsense, David Cronenberg's intelligent direction chooses instead to concentrate on the characters and their relationship. It examines the other side of the coin to the reformed character; the fact that a person can change but their violent and criminal past will always be there to haunt them. Viggo Mortensen is as strong as ever and is convincing both in …

filmfan09
Producer

A smart, absorbing thriller.

filmfan09 - wrote on 01/09/2009

One of my top 'Best Films of 2005'.

The film is, simply put, amazing. Anyone who enjoys Cronenberg's other films will greatly appreciate this one. Viggo Mortensen proved he's one of the finest actors to come along in a long while. Maria Bello carries so much on her talented shoulders. With Mortensen she shines with alternately warming and heartbreaking truthfulness. Ed Harris was delightfully menacing, and William Hurt gave the liveliest and best performance I've seen from him.

Besides being a thriller, it also a smart film about the culture of violence. How it dominates our world. One of the questions the film asks whether one can live free of violence, even the slightest. In the film violence lurks in every corner and the characters are forced to defend themselves. Definitely …

Matthew Sanchelli
Director

No Depth

Matthew Sanchelli - wrote on 08/14/2007

Since this movie came out all I kept hearing from people was how incredible of a movie this was and that I would love it.

I'm going to have to re-evaluate my friends opinions in movies. :P

There was nothing really compelling to me to suck me in and keep my attention on this movie. I don't even know how to market a movie like this. Drama? Action? Violent? It seems they took money out of the writers pay so they could make the gun shots and head shots "really cool". Which given, yes...some of the head shots were quite well done and I actually hit rewind to see the shot again......but good gunshots do not make a good movie alone.

I started folding laundry after a bit while I left the movie playing.....and I don't fold laundry all that often.