Violence's intimate impact
A History of Violence is a departure from other Cronenberg films I've viewed. I took the title to refer the hidden past of the main character, Tom Stall (brilliantly acted by Viggo Mortensen), who recreated himself in an effort to depart from a...
- 04.December.2010
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- by: mov
- mov rated this movie
 8/10Great
Violence's intimate impact
A History of Violence is a departure from other Cronenberg films I've viewed. I took the title to refer the hidden past of the main character, Tom Stall (brilliantly acted by Viggo Mortensen), who recreated himself in an effort to depart from a prior life, without revealing this to his spouse and children. Cronenberg takes great pains to make the beauty of Stall's current family the focus, and during the first movement we are drawn into some very tender moments between its members which, rather than coming across as cheesy, struck me as authentic and beautiful: Tom's spouse (Maria Bello, who also plays a very strong role) is Eddie, a lawyer, in love with the most beautiful man she has ever met. Their son, (Ashton Holmes) delivers a fine performance as a teenager navigating his own battles with cretans who attempt to bully him at high school due to his lack of athletic prowess. As reality suddenly reveals itself to be other than what it seems, all struggle to make sense of what befalls Stall and his family. Their responses to the events that unfold are really deeply masterful, human responses to all that takes place. I applaud Cronenberg's exploration, which refuses to divorce violence from its impact, and it is the impact on Tom's family which makes for heart-wrenching viewing. The pacing of the film is slow enough to allow for these dips into intimate moments, and the film insists on maintaining an emotional connection to its characters despite the horrific violence which ensues. It's not an easy film to watch, but well worth it. Cronenburg has achieved something morally significant in his reconnection between violence and its impact.
- 04.December.2010
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- by: mov
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This is an actor's movie, in that it is a film to showcase a character's evolution and acting skill. Everything is done on purpose. The family is purposefully wholesome to offset the intense, infrequent splash of violence. Viggo Mortensen's only...
- 20.September.2010
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- by: Patrick
- Patrick rated this movie0/10
This is an actor's movie, in that it is a film to showcase a character's evolution and acting skill. Everything is done on purpose. The family is purposefully wholesome to offset the intense, infrequent splash of violence. Viggo Mortensen's only better acting roles than this film were as the devil is The Prophecy and as Aragorn in that dungeons and dragons thing. This movie has some truly epic qualities that it illicits. It changes itself constantly and everything means something. This was my favorite film of 2005 for that reason. The nuances and single, powerfully expressive scenes that make this film. They are the reason why for roughly 10 minutes of movie time, William Hurt was nominated for the best supporting actor oscar. Don't let others deter you, watch this feel the characters, because they so achingly need to be heard.
- 20.September.2010
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- by: Patrick
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I wasnt quite sure what to expect with this one. And Im not completely satisfied with what I got. Its a small, quiet film, with simple, effective, unpretentious direction that is punctuated by moments of graphic sex and rough, gruesome...
- 23.July.2010
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- by: Alex
- Alex rated this movie0/10
I wasnt quite sure what to expect with this one. And Im not completely satisfied with what I got. Its a small, quiet film, with simple, effective, unpretentious direction that is punctuated by moments of graphic sex and rough, gruesome violence.
Viggo turns in a brooding, intense performance of a haunted man whose demons have definitely come back to life. He kicks butt, yeah, but its with this sense of regret, despair and world-weariness; he carries around this very Peckinpah-like desire to just be rid of the big city or modern world and just kick around a small town in a simple (perhaps overly simple) life.
I can see why people have complained about the plot. The major question in my mind was, why is this happening now? At times, I liked the mysterious nature of Viggos character. At times, I was frustrated by it, because there was a lack of context for some of the events that he was involved with.
I really dispute, though, the claim that the sex was gratuitous. Not at all. Especially the second time. Looking back on it, that scene was one of the best in the film, actually, the tension between his vicious/bestial nature fighting with his attempts to rebuild himself as an actual mature, adult male in a relationship... I dont know. It really worked for me at a gut level.
Viggo Mortensen was, as usual, fantastic. Maria Bello was an interesting mix of love and anger and confusion. The youngest girl was irritatingly saccharine and sweet -- too smiley and obedient and nice. The teenage son reminded me of Jesse Eisenberg, which is a good thing.
3 stars feels like too much praise; 2 stars feels like too little praise. EASTERN PROMISES is a much superior film, but this isnt bad.
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I loved this movie. I am generally a bit squeamish with realistic-type violence, but I didn't feel at all like this movie went overboard. The chemistry between Bello and Mortenson was awesome, and it lent so much raw feeling to the movie.
My only...
- 06.April.2009
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- by: teaspoon83
- teaspoon83 rated this movie10/10Must See
I loved this movie. I am generally a bit squeamish with realistic-type violence, but I didn't feel at all like this movie went overboard. The chemistry between Bello and Mortenson was awesome, and it lent so much raw feeling to the movie.
My only complaints really are that A.) the teenage son is stupidly annoying and B.) I hated the ending-- not because it was *bad*, but I hate seeing the credits roll and I'm left thinking "What does that mean? What happens next?". It's wholly possible it was just me, but I didn't get it :)
- 06.April.2009
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- by: teaspoon83
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This is a great movie. Great use of silence and stillness punctuated by brief but effective explosions (real or metaphorical). The characters are not fully fleshed out and explored, but I sense that was Cronenberg's intent; these characters, like...
- 20.March.2009
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- by: sethdellinger
- sethdellinger rated this movie0/10
This is a great movie. Great use of silence and stillness punctuated by brief but effective explosions (real or metaphorical). The characters are not fully fleshed out and explored, but I sense that was Cronenberg's intent; these characters, like real people, are fluid beings, pulled in multiple directions by conflicting desires, their interpretations and knowledge of the past, and the waxing and waning loyalties of the heart. Although this film's synopsis may make the film sound plot-driven, it is truly a character study with a very intriguing plot dropped into it. Beautifully and carefully acted, shot and designed.
- 20.March.2009
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- by: sethdellinger
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"A History of Violence" is an enjoyable movie that moves along at a pretty brisk pace. But don't expect too much realism. The preposterous scenes aren't so much the ones in which actor Vigo, a one-man death machine, defeats troops of bad guys as...
- 19.March.2009
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- by: Vic
- Vic rated this movie6/10Okay
"A History of Violence" is an enjoyable movie that moves along at a pretty brisk pace. But don't expect too much realism. The preposterous scenes aren't so much the ones in which actor Vigo, a one-man death machine, defeats troops of bad guys as easily as a kung fu master. What's hard to buy are the conflicts that his wife and son have with the wonderful husband and father they've known and loved for at least 15 years, and who has just saved their lives. After they learn that Vigo had a shady past he put behind him before he even came to town and started a family, they suddenly seem not to know who he is. That's required by the plot, I guess -- otherwise the thin plot would be even thinner -- but out of synch with the way real wives and children behave. Still, the movie is worth seeing for the performances and the occasional touches the director is known for.
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Loved this film
and it's mytery- the truth uncovering part after part. fascinating and worth watching.
- 28.October.2008
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- by: Noa
- Noa rated this movie0/10
Loved this film
and it's mytery- the truth uncovering part after part. fascinating and worth watching.
- 28.October.2008
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- by: Noa
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Slow but powerful, rough and somewhat disturbing movie
About a simple man that discover that his very good in hurting people, what lead to the discovery of his violent history that he tried to put behind .
- 10.October.2008
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- by: rotem.nevgaunker
- rotem.nevgaunker rated this movie5/10So-so
Slow but powerful, rough and somewhat disturbing movie
About a simple man that discover that his very good in hurting people, what lead to the discovery of his violent history that he tried to put behind .
- 10.October.2008
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- by: rotem.nevgaunker
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