A History of Violence (2005)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

David Cronenberg

Writers (WGA):

John Wagner (graphic novel) and
Vince Locke (graphic novel) ...

Release Date:

30 September 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Everyone has something to hide.

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.

Plot Keywords:

Diner | Mobster | Identity | Small Town | Self Defense

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 26 wins & 31 nominations

Cast

Viggo Mortensen	...	Tom Stall
Maria Bello	...	Edie Stall
Ed Harris	...	Carl Fogarty
William Hurt	...	Richie Cusack
Ashton Holmes	...	Jack Stall
Peter MacNeill	...	Sheriff Sam Carney
Stephen McHattie	...	Leland
Greg Bryk	...	Billy
Kyle Schmid	...	Bobby
Sumela Kay	...	Judy Danvers
Gerry Quigley	...	Mick
Deborah Drakeford	...	Charlotte
Heidi Hayes	...	Sarah Stall
Aidan Devine	...	Charlie Roarke
Bill MacDonald	...	Frank Mulligan

Also Known As:

A History of Violence (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Philippines:R-13 (cut) | Australia:MA | Singapore:R21 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | France:-12 | Spain:18 | South Korea:18 | Hong Kong:III | Japan:R-15 | Indonesia:Dewasa | Czech Republic:15 | Mexico:C | Brazil:18 | Sweden:15 | Australia:R (original rating) | New Zealand:R18 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | Germany:18 (bw) | Italy:T (re-rated) | Italy:VM14 (original rating) | USA:R (certificate #41604) | Israel:16 | UK:18 | Ireland:18 | Norway:18

Filming Locations:

King City, Ontario, Canada

Company:

New Line Productions

Trivia:

William Hurt received an Oscar nomination for this film for Best Supporting Actor despite only being in one scene.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When Tom/Joey arrives in Philadelphia, he says he has been driving for 15-16 hours. From even the farthest point in Indiana, where he supposedly lives, the drive would take about 11 hours.

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.

Movie Connections:

References C'era una volta il West (1968)

Soundtrack:

Life of a Fool

A top notch thriller

I saw the film at the Cannes Film Festival. All I have to say is: Wow. One of the best thrillers ever. It's refreshing to watch a film in genre that's so often full of clichés. Besides being a thriller, it also a smart film about the culture of violence. How it dominates our world. One of the questions the film asks whether one can live free of violence, even the slightest. In the film violence lurks in every corner and the characters are forced to defend themselves. Definitely my favorite Cronenberg film, also his most mainstream I might add. It's a modern Western and reminds one of those great Western films. As the title indicates it's a very violent film but guess it will be toned down as usual, specially the sex scene. All the stars are in peek form and perfectly cast. William Hurt makes a comeback to better roles. He was also great in "The King". It will and should get some awards at the end of the year from critics and etc.