A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
Review by Al Shevy

Directed by
David Cronenberg
Writing credits 
John Wagner (graphic novel) and Vince Locke (graphic novel)

Rated R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use.
Runtime: 96 min

An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner.Thus begins David Cronenberg's newest exploration into sex and violence. And as always it is well worth viewing.  Any time you get the chance to see a new Cronenberg flick on the big screen do it.

Hollywood has not diminished Cronenbergs skill at showing us how sex and violence are forever intertwined. This is a subject he has been working with from the beginning and is the best there is at showing it to us. But this tale also is a tale of redemption. How a man can change his past and when it catches up to him confront it as best he can and still be accepted by his family who know nothing of has past.

After stopping a robbery in his small town diner Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is now a nation wide hero. His face is all over the news and this is not a good thing. Suddenly 3 men show up in town. One of them Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) who has a scared face claims to know Tom and says that is not his name. He calls him Joey Cusack. He wants Tom to go with him to Philly to meet up with Richie Cusack (William Hurt) to settle some old debts. This all leads to some ultra violence and leads to why Tom/Joey has A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE.

Cronenberg begins with a slow simmer and then paces this tale just right with scenes of extreme violence and sex. The movie never gets dull and holds your attention until the very end. The direction is outstanding. And if you have read the graphic novel you will be happy to know that Cronenberg has changed it enough to make it a new adventure for you if you think you know where he is going.

Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris both put in outstanding work. But the surprise here is Viggo. You believe in him. He pulls this part off to perfection. Ed Harris is at his slimy best. He will creep you out. Also outstanding is Maria Bello as Edie Stall.

By all means see this. It is not a FAMILY film though. It earns every bit of its R rating and more. David Cronenberg is still producing movies on his terms and thank god for that. May Hollywood never tarnish this great directors style. He is always a breath of fresh air no matter what he does.