'Violence' leaves lasting impact
By Nick Norman
I had to take a nap after seeing David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence." The intensity of this film left me weary and aching for more.
Like this year's hit movie "Sin City," the film is based on a graphic novel. Expect intense violence and sex, but also expect what "Sin City" lacked: a deeper message.
"A History of Violence" examines the necessity of violence itself. Cronenberg created quality entertainment that deeply examines the human affinity for bloody solutions. He begs the question: when is violence a tool and when is it plain cruelty?
Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is a small town family man who rightfully kills two thugs when they attempt to rob his greasy spoon diner. His seeming act of courage transforms him into a town hero overnight, and a flood of people show up at his doorstep: news reporters, admirers, and more gangsters.
The true conflict begins when a big-time mob boss (Ed Harris) starts threatening Stall's family. He claims to know Tom from many years ago, and he's not looking for a sweet reunion.
Tom vehemently denies the claims and simply tries to keep his family safe. But like Tom's wife and kids, we can't help but question Tom's past.
From the opening scene, this film gave me the thrill of feeling vulnerable. At one point, I found myself staring down the shattered face of a hit man, his nose splintered and shoved into his brain. The bristling bones, blood and gurgling of the dying man revolted me in a thrilling way. I wanted to look away, but I found pleasure in seeing the suffering of an evil man.
Please note that the graphic violence was completely necessary for the film's message. Plus, it's a lot of fun. This is not comic book violence; it is haunting and real. People don't die instantly. They writhe, hiss and choke before going cold.
Because of the cast, I could taste the tension in this film. Viggo Mortensen gives his best performance yet and Ed Harris is his usual haunting self. Maria Bello, playing Tom's wife, nearly made me cry several times. When her children are threatened, her face transforms into a soul-crushing mixture of despair, fear and complete defiance. I recommend the film for her performance alone.
Above all, I enjoyed having no idea what to expect. The unknown kept me riveted from the first moment to the last. This tension, punctuated by brutal bloodshed, left me feeling completely drained.
I cant get this film out of my head. It is still challenging me. "A History of Violence" will indeed make history -- for every person in the theater.
The film is rated R for nudity, graphic violence and thematic elements.
Grade: A