‘Violence’ aptly named

“A History of Violence” is a mysterious, plot-driven, and entertaining film. Based off the graphic novel series of the same name by John Wagner and Vince Locke, this movie is worth seeing if you aren’t turned-off by gore and violence. Be warned: Don’t bring your date.

I’m in two minds as to how I should review this movie. On one hand, “A History of Violence” has an excellent, character driven plot that never quite becomes predictable. On the other hand, the film has a surprising amount of gore, was brutally violent, and some sexually charged scenes that seemed out of place in the film.

Tom Small (Viggo Mortensen, of “Lord of the Rings” fame) is a simple man, living in a small town in Indiana. He owns a diner, has a wife named Elie (Maria Bello) and two children, and is friends with everyone in town. His peaceful life is shattered when two killers attempt to rob his diner, and Tom kills them in self-defense. In a flurry of media attention that follows, Tom is hailed as a hero by the media. Unfortunately, his newfound publicity attracts the attention of mob-man Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) who believes Tom is actually an ex-member of the mob named Joey.

As Carl becomes more and more intent on making Tom admit his past, Tom’s family and friends begin to question whether or not he actually is this Joey, a prolific killer. The family’s relationships begin to flounder, especially between Tom and his son Jack (Ashton Holmes).

Each of the characters has their own plots, and all the characters do an excellent job in their performances. Jack has his problems with the bullies at school, but when Tom confronts him about a fight he got into, Jack, who is deeply troubled by what Carl has said about his dad, lashes back with the comment that “In this family, we shoot them,” further straining his relationship with his dad.

Elie is forced to contend with the fact that her family could be in danger from these mob men who follow them and watch their house. She is also forced to contemplate the fact that her husband might be hiding secrets about his past. Carl plants the seeds in her mind, asking her “How comes he’s so good at killing people?”

The central plot revolves around Tom, who adamantly says that he doesn’t know who Carl is or why he wants him. With people around him questioning who he is, his family not fully trusting him, and mafia gangsters breathing down his neck, he’s forced to try to maintain the life he’s lived for so long.

To say anything more would spoil the plot, which remains shrouded in secrecy and intrigue to the end. The viewer never does quite know whether or not Tom is or isn’t “Joey” until the movie is over.

The acting is excellent, especially by Mortensen, who truly looks like a man struggling with inner demons or close kept secrets. The plot takes a brisk pace, and takes a definite, show, don’t tell, approach. The action is good, and well spaced.

“Violence”, however, isn’t without its share of bumps in the road. The movie starts somewhat slowly, and though it picks up quickly, the viewer is still left wondering why some of the scenes are included in the first place. One particular scene, which involves a steamy sexual encounter between Tom and Elie, was unnecessary and largely embarrassing to watch. I’d be mortified if I saw it with a date.

The other warning the viewer should have about the movie is this: it is a violent film. A child is shot (off-screen), people are knifed to death, and many people are killed on-screen. Not only are these killings shown; director David Croenberg makes a point of showing just how graphic they are. The film has no reluctance to showing the blood oozing from the dead body, and is perfectly inclined to show the effects of a close-range shotgun shot blasting through a person’s body.

Still, if you can stand the violence and can make it through the first fifteen minutes, “A History of Violence” is a fun crime thriller, which is sure to please people with that taste. The acting was also spot on, and Mortensen shines especially bright. I give it four paws out of five.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 14 2005. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry