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Rating of
4/4
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 05/30/2019
The type of movie Paul Haggis's "Crash" thought it was back in 2005, "A History of Violence" is an incredibly ambitious film that evolves as its story unfolds.
Rating of
3.5/4
mitchellyoung - wrote on 07/16/2012
Casting aside most of his signature weirdness, Cronenberg directs a dark and nuanced portrait of revenge and anger. The film's darker themes are juxtaposed with its broader action sequences and the film has a smartness to it that weighs on every scene. William Hurt is a scene stealer as the film's main villain.
Rating of
3/4
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 03/23/2012
Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) becomes a local hero after killing two mobster’s creating trouble at the diner he was working in. Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) visits him and claims that Tom is actually a gangster named Joey Cusack. Richie Cusack (William Hurt) calls Tom to go back to Philadelphia. Soundtrack was decent and acting were solid. This reminded me of Drive, but a poor version since it lacked certain elements to make it more engaging and characters were uninteresting. Action was sufficient and drama with the wife and kid weres enlightening in a sense. History of Violence is a good witty film on trust, family, survival and acting in certain situations.
Rating of
4/4
Unknown - wrote on 06/30/2011
A study of the nature of violence, in a violently entertaining form. The directing and acting are top notch and the moral drama is superb.
Rating of
2.5/4
donkeyknight - wrote on 05/03/2011
I liked it, great movie about a man protecting his family. A little too graphic to gain more stars.
Rating of
2.5/4
sapien - wrote on 01/21/2010
This movie was a little weird. But I kinda liked it. lol.
Rating of
3/4
GJ81 - wrote on 04/03/2009
Is it a classic? I don't know, i think its on the border. The story is engrossing and simply told and there are some great scenes of violence, which work because they are shocking, as violence is and should be protrayed. The actors all do their best but it does all tend to be slightly over-dramatic, which is a script problem and possibly a fault of Cronenbergs. Cliche does creep in toward the final act with everyone looking shady and speaking in mobster tongue, but the ambigious ending heightens the drama and ends the film on a good note. Its not perfect but it's hugely enjoyable.
Rating of
4/4
CJP - wrote on 09/03/2008
Cronenberg pushes the envelope with his overture on violence and crime. This is a perfect example of how to push the envelope though as it is thought provoking, shocking, and disturbingly honest to its form. It is the best film from 2005. It offers no moral comprimise, is brilliantly acted and cast, and leaves the tense finish to one's fears.
Rating of
4/4
Gabe - wrote on 01/14/2008
A fantastic film about a man trying to forget who he really is while his past finally catches up to him. The final scene is perfect, it just shows that not every movie family is perfect and now they have to deal with the chilling reality that their father/husband is a trained killer.
Rating of
3.5/4
Allison - wrote on 11/16/2007
I love this movie. It inadvertently got me into Cronenberg. Great actors. Great story. Great director, duh. I don't know how a rewatch would fare. I need to finish watching my Cronenberg movies. I think I have one or two left to watch. Either this or The Dead Zone is Cronenberg's best. Yay.
