Okay, even if Viggo Mortensen isn’t exactly painful to behold in this 2005 film, I realize many may shy away from anything entitled A History of Violence. Granted, true to its name, the character who has that history of violence doesn’t exactly…always…“spare the rod.” And I admit that I, personally, don’t have a problem with violence in films…unless it just seems pointlessly “gratuitous.”
Still, I can’t recommend this film highly enough for, if nothing else, the most masterfully understated final reconciliation scene I’ve ever seen. Other high points include…yes, I’m not above it!…remarkable edge-of-your-seat action you’ll want to watch more than once. And, speaking of not being above it and wanting to re-watch it many times, one of the hottest yet honestly emotionally complex sex scenes ever.
Is this a film for intellectual snobs? Well…no. But if you want to see a compelling dilemma impeccably handled by the actors and genius-director David Cronenberg, don’t miss this film.
“A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence…” imdb.com
Nominated for two Oscars. Winner of both AFI and Austin Film Critics awards.
“Other films this year will have to sweat bullets to match the explosive power and subversive wit of David Cronenberg’s A History of Violence. It slams you like a body punch and then starts messing with your head. Because the film concerns a family in the Midwest, and suspense and sexuality do a seductive mating dance on the plot’s surface, History is being touted as the Canadian maverick’s olive branch to the mainstream. Maybe so, but only if you’ve never heard of subtext or watched Cronenberg sabotage all things packaged as bright and beautiful. There are those who rag on the director as Dave Deprave, the flesh freak who plays mind games with damaged, oozing body parts in films like Scanners, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Videodrome, Crash and Naked Lunch. Open your eyes, people. This is a world-class director, at the top of his startlingly creative form.” Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
