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A History of Violence (2005)

R  |   |  Crime, Drama, Thriller  |  30 September 2005 (USA)
7.5
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Ratings: 7.5/10 from 177,047 users   Metascore: 81/100
Reviews: 1,113 user | 434 critic | 37 from Metacritic.com

A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.

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(graphic novel), (graphic novel), 1 more credit »
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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 33 wins & 60 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
...
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Sheriff Sam Carney
...
...
Billy
...
Bobby Singer
...
Gerry Quigley ...
Mick
Deborah Drakeford ...
Charlotte
...
Sarah Stall
...
Charlie Roarke
Bill MacDonald ...
Frank Mulligan
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Storyline

This is the story of a mild-mannered man, named Tom Stall, who becomes a local hero through an act of violence, he lives a happy and quiet life with his lawyer wife and their two children in the small town of Millbrook, Indiana. But one night their idyllic existence is shattered when Tom foils a vicious attempted robbery in his diner. Sensing danger, he takes action and saves his customers and friends in the self-defense killings of two-sought-after criminals. Heralded as a hero, Tom's life is changed overnight, attracting a national media circus, which forces him into the spotlight. Uncomfortable with his newfound celebrity, Tom tries to return to the normalcy of his ordinary life only to be confronted by a mysterious and threatening man who arrives in town believing Tom is the man who wronged him in the past. As Tom and his family fight back against this case of mistaken identity and struggle to cope with their changed reality, they are forced to confront their relationships and the... Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Tom Stall had the perfect life... until he became a hero. See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| |

Language:

Release Date:

30 September 2005 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Una historia violenta  »

Box Office

Budget:

$32,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$515,992 (USA) (23 September 2005)

Gross:

$89,838 (Chile) (31 March 2006)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

During an interview, Viggo Mortensen stated that during the shooting of the first bar scene with Ed Harris he could not stop laughing, and as a result, the scene had to be re-shot several times. Due to Viggo Mortensen's behavior, Ed Harris completed the scene without pants; he only wore his underwear, yet this cannot be seen as the bar table impedes our view. Thus, Viggo Mortensen had to act seriously while Ed Harris was not wearing any pants, and this is the scene that is used in the movie. See more »

Goofs

Early in the movie, Tom and his family are sitting to breakfast. Tom pours some orange juice into his glass and sets the pitcher down. The view cuts away, but when it comes back the glass is much fuller than it was before. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
William Orser: So we keep headin' east?
Leland Jones: Yeah, that's the idea.
William Orser: Stay out of the big cities?
Leland Jones: Uh-huh.
See more »

Connections

Featured in The 78th Annual Academy Awards (2006) See more »

Soundtracks

Life of a Fool
Written by Paul Burch
Performed by Paul Burch
Courtesy of Bloodshot Records
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
A gripping experience with complex themes
14 September 2005 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

I saw this film at a special screening in NYC on Tuesday. It is superb both in direction and acting. Both the sex and violent scenes are quick and direct. While the violence is quite graphic, as to be expected with Cronenberg, the camera does not linger on it at all. The real story is told through the emotional dynamics in the family as the plot unfolds. Mortensen's performance as Tom Stall is brilliant and wonderfully nuanced and the entire cast is first rate. Maria Bello as the wife and Ashton Holmes as the son and Ed Harris as the "heavy" are spot on. William Hurt's scene is a standout. There are moments in the film where you laugh and then are horrified within seconds. DC doesn't dumb down to the audience but enjoys the complexities of human reactions to issues of identity, violence and society's view of "good" versus "bad" violence. I still can't get this film out of my mind. I'm definitely planning on seeing it again when it opens widely. Highly recommended.


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