A History of Violence

Director: David Cronenberg David Cronenberg

Overview

David Cronenberg directed this screen adaptation of a graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke which explores how an act of heroism unexpectedly changes a man's life. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) lives a quiet life in a small Indiana town, running the local diner with his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), and raising their two children. But the quiet is shattered one day when a pair of criminals on the run from the police walk into his diner just before closing time. After they attack one of the customers and seem ready to kill several of the people inside, Tom jumps to the fore, grabbing a gun from one of the criminals and killing the invaders. Tom is immediately hailed as a hero by his employees and the community at large, but Tom seems less than comfortable with his new notoriety. One day, a man with severe facial scars, Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris), sits down at the counter and begins addressing Tom as Joey, and begins asking him questions about the old days in Philadelphia. While Tom seems puzzled, Carl's actions suggest that the quiet man pouring coffee at the diner may have a dark and violent past he isn't eager to share with others -- as well as some old scores that haven't been settled.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/14/2006
UPC:	0794043100956
Original Release:	2005
Rating:	R
Source:	New Line Home Video
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:36:00
Sales rank:	42,635

Special Features

Closed Caption;Director David Cronenberg commentary; "Acts of Violence" documentary- a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes journey on the making of the film; Three riveting featurettes:; "Violence history:

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Viggo Mortensen	Tom Stall
Maria Bello	Edie Stall,Actor
Ed Harris	Carl Fogarty
William Hurt	Richie Cusack
Ashton Holmes	Jack Stall
Peter MacNeill	Sheriff Sam Carney
Stephen McHattie	Leland Jones
Greg Bryk	William Orser
Sumela Kay	Judy Danvers
Kyle Schmid	Bobby Jordan
Deborah Drakeford	Charlotte
Gerry Quigley	Mick
Heidi Hayes	Sarah Stall
Aidan Devine	Charlie Roarke
Bill MacDonald	Frank Mulligan
Michelle McCree	Jenny Wyeth
Ian Matthews	Ruben
R.D. Reid	Pat
Morgan Kelly	Bobby's Buddy
Martha Reilly	Shoe Saleswoman
Jason Barbeck	Richie's Thug
Bruce Beaton	Richie's Thug
Neven Pajkic	Richie's Thug
Brendan Connor	Local TV Reporter
Nick Antonacci	Local TV Reporter
John Carr Watson	Baseball Coach
Don Allison	TV Broadcaster
Brittany Payer	Motel Girl
Mitch Boughs	Kid in Diner
April Mullen	Kid in Diner
George King	Hospital Well-Wisher
Shawn Campbell	Orderly
Connor Price	Actor
Viggo	Actor
David Zucker	Actor
David Arquette	Actor
Evan Rose	'Hulk' Boy
Michael Stevens	Guy on the Street
Howard Shore	Composer

Technical Credits

Josh Olson

David Cronenberg	Director,Producer
Josh Olson	Screenwriter
Chris Bender	Producer
J.C. Spink	Producer
Josh Braun	Executive Producer,Producer
Toby Emmerich	Executive Producer,Producer
Justis Greene	Executive Producer,Producer
Roger E. Kass	Executive Producer,Producer
Kent Alterman	Producer
Cale Boyter	Producer
Chad Camilleri	Stunts
Dierdre Bowen	Casting
Michael O'Farrell	Sound Mixer
Glen Gauthier	Sound/Sound Designer
Wayne Griffin	Sound Mixer

Editorial Reviews

David Cronenberg has always been a name closely associated with the horror genre, and even when his films don't overtly contain the elements generally associated with the critically maligned genre, they can be just as horrifying as any out-and-out fright flick. This bold but shockingly low-key thriller is without question one of the reigning body-horror master's most mainstream cinematic outings to date (no videotape-swallowing orifices or medieval-looking medical instruments here); however, the film's depiction of the vicious cyclical nature of violence is as horrific and challenging as anything in the veteran director's notoriously gruesome filmography. The effectiveness of violence in any film is directly tied to stylistic choices utilized to portray the violence onscreen, and few directors are more aware of this fact than Cronenberg. By contrasting the horrific and often graphic acts of violence committed by the characters in A History of Violence with quiet scenes at the family dinner table or tender moments between husband and wife, Cronenberg punctuates the destructive actions of his characters in a manner that is undeniably effective for those looking for something deeper than the average revenge tale -- showing a filmmaker still very much in command of his material. As the dire situation steadily elevates and the outwardly peaceful protagonist is forced to act out in the same manner as his tormentors, Cronenberg reveals the character's true nature while showing enough faith in his audience to let the situation unfold naturally. This narrative restraint shows a filmmaker whose dramatic strengths are growing with age rather than weakening (a sad problem that seems to plague many genre filmmakers of Cronenberg's generation). Even the lesser-drawn characters in A History of Violence seem to have an added dimension of motivation that ties into the theories of violence presented in the film, with the more prominent supporting players, including Ed Harris and William Hurt, turning in particularly effective performances. Though some viewers may find it difficult to connect with the archetypal characters in A History of Violence on an emotional level, the message regarding the inherently cyclical nature of violence is both effectively clear and viscerally presented, offering a testament to Cronenberg's continuing willingness to challenge his audience while simultaneously crafting a compelling mainstream thriller.