IMDb > A History of Violence (2005)
A History of Violence
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A History of Violence (2005) More at IMDbPro »

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A History of Violence (2005) -- A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.
A History of Violence (2005) -- Clip: Witness Protection
A History of Violence (2005) -- A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.
A History of Violence (2005) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   72,008 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 27% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
John Wagner (graphic novel) and
Vince Locke (graphic novel) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for A History of Violence on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 September 2005 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Everyone has something to hide. more
Plot:
A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 26 wins & 31 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(87 articles)
Cronenberg’s ‘The Talking Cure’ Cast Update
 (From Screen Rant. 24 December 2009, 12:27 AM, PST)

UK Exclusive: Viggo Mortensen On “The Road”
 (From FilmShaft.com. 23 December 2009, 5:47 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
In the Blood more (1052 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
A History of Violence (Germany)
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MPAA:
Rated R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use.
Runtime:
96 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
William Hurt filmed his role in only five days. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Early in the movie, Tom and his family are sitting to breakfast. Tom pours some orange juice into his glass and sets the pitcher down. The view cuts away, but when it comes back the glass is much fuller than it was before. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
William Orser: So we keep headin' east?
Leland Jones: Yeah, that's the idea.
William Orser: Stay out of the big cities?
Leland Jones: Uh-huh.
more
Movie Connections:
References Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) more
Soundtrack:
Life of a Fool more

FAQ

What was the last major Hollywood movie to be released on VHS?
What's the deal with the second sex scene? It seemed random and out of place.
Was Richie offering to spare Tom's life when he calls him in the middle of the night?
more
191 out of 320 people found the following review useful.
In the Blood, 2 October 2005
10/10
Author: jon.h.ochiai (jochiai@socal.rr.com) from Los Angeles, CA

In the middle of the night young Sarah (Heidi Hayes) wakes from a nightmare. Her father, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) comforts her saying, "There are no such thing as monsters…" Director David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence" questions whether human monsters are truly born or trained to be so. Based on a graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, Josh Olson's screenplay offers a provocative answer. Though for Cronenberg and Olson , the power of "A History of Violence" lies in its character study. Viggo Mortensen as Tom Stall is commanding and powerful as the center of this character piece. This is one the year's best movies.

Cronenberg creates the idyllic setting of a small Indiana town. Tom Stall (Mortensen) is a mild mannered and community respected family man. He has a loving and beautiful wife Edie (strong and smart Maria Bello). His daughter Sarah likes shopping for shoes. His teenage son Jack (Ashton Holmes) is sucking as a baseball player and a target of bully Bobby (Kyle Schmid). Tom owns Stall's Dinner in town. Then one day ruthless killers (evil Stephen McHattie and Greg Bryk) draw their guns in a robbery attempt at Tom's diner. Tom kills both like they are not even there. He dispatches them with awesome deadly force and brutality. His actions are warranted, and seemingly instinctive. Tom becomes a town and national hero. His photo even appears on CNN.

Soon after returning to work a mysterious man and his henchmen visit Tom in his diner. The man, Carl Fogerty (menacing Ed Harris), reveals a disfiguring injury and claims to know Tom, as Joey Cusack. Tom really does not seem to know Carl, and kindly asks him to leave. Things don't seem to add up regarding Tom. Carl later asks Tom's wife Edie "Why is he (Tom) so good at killing people." Cronenberg brilliantly lulls us in a sense of normalcy, then launches in a predetermined direction and tone. He hints at his answer with son Jack's explosive actions. Also his "A History of Violence" is a study of extremes, likely intentional. The violence is graphic controlled brutality, and merciless. The sex scene with Tom and Edie on the stairs is raw and erotic. Cronenberg also manages an unexpected resolution.

Viggo Mortensen is electrifying. He uses his classic good looks and understated charm to play the gentle family man Tom Stall. Mortensen also displays a powerful and explosive presence as Tom's darker persona. Mortensen is athletic and expertly performs the amazing martial arts and fight scenes. Maria Bello is awesome as Edie. Even with her glamor subdued she is stunning and sexy. Her Edie is strong willed enduring her own doubts regarding who her husband really is. Her reaction at the story's arc is both believable and heartbreaking. She and Mortensen have amazing chemistry. Ed Harris is calculated evil as Carl Fogerty. Newcomer Ashton Holmes is impressive as young Jack. His portrayal leads us to believe it maybe truly in the blood. William Hurt's turn in a pivotal role is unexpectedly shocking and completely effective.

Cronenberg has fashioned a fable about character and fate in "A History of Violence". This is one of the best movies of the year. Viggo Mortensen is simply powerful. "A History of Violence" is worth seeing and worthy of thought.

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Purpose of 'Fantasy-like' Scenes of Violence Pearl_Jade
Significance of the truck? sleizman88
Not a good movie at all. oyster_without_soul
Ballard, Burroughs and Cronenberg celluloidmagic
Hysterical. masfoliage2
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