A History of Violence Movie Review 2005

Unassuming small-town diner owner and family man Tom Stall foils a robbery, killing the hold-up men, and becomes a hero. This new status brings the unwanted attention of a trio of men who claim to be from Tom's past. And a very violent past it turns out to be. Cronenberg, with the exceptional help of a great cast, deftly and cleverly plays with the notion of identity and reality, while he takes a jab at the audience's knowledge of and expectations for action movies and their conventions. It's all very cool and engrossing, but he makes you squirm a little for enjoying the ride.

Distribution

New Line Home Video, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, Phone: (310)854-5811, Fax: (310)854-1824, URL: http://www.newline.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on DVD
Running time 96 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Adapted from Comics, Crime Drama, Organized Crime, Not-So-True Identity, Small-Town Sheriffs, Family Drama, Philadelphia

Screenplay

Josh Olson

Cast

Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, William Hurt, Stephen McHattie, Peter MacNeill, Ed Harris, Ashton Holmes, Heidi Hayes

Cinematography

Peter Suschitzsky

Director

David Cronenberg

Music

Howard Shore

Other

Glen Gauthier, Ronald Sanders, James McAteer, Denise Cronenberg, Carol Spier

Producer

Chris Bender, JC Spink, Benderspink, New Line Cinema

Awards

L.A. Film Critics 2005: Support. Actor (Hurt); N.Y. Film Critics 2005: Support. Actor (Hurt), Support. Actress (Bello); Natl. Soc. Film Critics 2005: Director (Cronenberg), Support. Actor (Harris).