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"A History of Violence" reminds us all of how effective
and powerful a director David Cronenberg can be. Based loosely
based on a popular graphic novel, "Violence" is a brilliant
film that looks beneath the calm exterior of a man who has
remade himself into someone else. Like all of Cronenberg's
films his main character Tom Stall seems calm and complacent
but circumstances transfer Tom into a killing machine. Nominated
for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, I was so disappointed
that the Academy overlooked Cronenberg for a nomation as
Best Director. While I won't argue that "Crash" deserved
its Oscars, I would argue against the nomination of Paul
Haggis as Best Director; "Crash" was a writer's film not
a director's and, while the screenplay for "Violence" is
marvelous it's definitely a director's film. I can only
conclude that the Academy once again overlooked a major
talent because his work is so often outside the mainstream
and incorporates fantasy/sci-fi/horror elements into his
dramas. t's a pity and reminds me of the oversight made
by the Academy with many other talented film director's
over the years. ***
Tom Stall's (Viggo Mortensen) small town life is shaken
up when he foils a robbery in his own diner. Suddenly this
Indiana man's life is turned upside down when the media
gets a hold of the story. His face is plastered over every
TV station as he is hailed as a hero. His wife Edie (Maria
Bello)and two children are effected as well when a thug
named Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) shows up with two of his
goons claiming that Tom is Joey Cusack a mafia killer. Carl
has come to take Tom back. Tom continues to deny that he's
Joey and Carl decides to take matters into his own hands
to force Tom to come back with him and face his past. ***
Filled with marvelous performances by Mortensen, Bello,
Harris, Ashton Holmes and William Hurt (in a glorified but
effective cameo)"A History of Violence" continues Cronenberg's
fascination with the question of identity, transformation
and recreation. It's also a terrific action thriller. Mortensen
perfectly embodies the character of Tom (SPOILER AHEAD)
with a performance hat captures the duality of his nature.
Tom is literally a self made man someone who hated who he
had become and elected to kill his old identity and be reborn
again as someone noble. Unfortunately nobility comes with
a price for Tom as his family and their idyllic life is
torn apart by the very violence that Tom sought to escape.
Image & Sound:
The DVD looks marvelous. Colors are bold and vibrant
and the bit rate is high allowing for a crisp, sharp presentation.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound mix sounds impressive
making effective use of the format particulary during the
explosive conclusion of the film.
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