“A history of violence‘ by Body Horror Maestro David Cronenberg and with “Lord of the Rings” star Viggo Mortensen will be broadcast on Tele 5 tonight October 22, 2022 at 11:10 pm. This is the unabridged version.
That’s what “A History of Violence” is all about
Diner owner Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) lives a quiet life in Indiana with his wife Edie (Maria Bello) and their children Jack (Ashton Holmes) and Sarah (Heidi Hayes). But the small-town idyll is suddenly over when Tom is visited at work by two sinister criminals. It doesn’t take long before the irascible men threaten him and his guests with gun violence.
But then the unbelievable happens: As if he had never done anything else, Tom disarms and kills the two attackers in one fluid motion. Over the next few days, his rescue attempt was covered by media across the country. This again attracts people that Tom would rather not see in his family…
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Cronenberg 2.0
Until David Cronenberg really lets it go for the first time, he presents his protagonist as a caring father and gracious restaurant owner. Fittingly, “A History Of Violence” (2005) makes a more straightforward and grounded impression than the classic Cronenberg film thus far. No trace of intoxicating images and varying levels of reality as in “Naked Lunch” (1991) or supernatural phenomena as found in “Rabid” (1976) and “Scanners” (1981).
But violence is not long in coming in “A History Of Violence” either. The restaurant’s evil gangster duo just executed an entire family on their way there. Even if the viewer doesn’t get to see the murders right away, one thing quickly becomes clear: The two strangers are evil personified.
When the men nearly collide with the local hooligan gang when they arrive in town, they startle the boys only with their grim faces.
Violence is also a solution
But the criminals don’t stand a chance against Tom Stall. In the dinner scene – as well as in later encounters with other opponents – faces are crushed with fists and bodies are riddled with bullets until they bleed.
Fans of “Lord of the Rings” are probably rubbing their eyes in amazement. For some, Viggo Mortensen’s transition from his role as the long-maned warrior Aragorn to his portrayal as a stone-cold hand-to-hand combat expert at a Midwestern fast food restaurant can be a real culture shock.
Among the supporting roles, Ed Harris deserves a special mention. He stars as Carl Fogarty in the key character role, which is often so typical of his roles, when he subtly but menacingly points out their violent past together. Due to their anecdotal nature, Carl’s petty taunts regarding Tom’s alleged actions also add a pinch of humor to the otherwise consistently serious story – Tom’s bare survival is at stake, after all.
The main character’s alleged “History Of Violence” is also the answer to all questions and the key for Tom to end the criminal activities of the invaders who threaten his ideal world. But to protect his new family, he must confront his old one, which – how could it be otherwise with this movie title – ends in a furious violent finale.
David Cronenberg’s “A History Of Violence” is also available on Amazon Prime as a VoD to rent and buy. The thriller drama is also available on Blu-ray:
›› “A History of Violence” on Amazon Prime Video* ›› “A History of Violence” on Blu-ray on Amazon*
Anyone who liked Viggo Mortensen’s role as a tough daredevil should definitely check out David Cronenberg’s mafia thriller “Deadly Promises,” released just two years later. The comic, which has a top cast of Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, Armin-Mueller-Stahl and also Viggo Mortensen, is currently even included in the Prime membership.