A History of Violence (2005)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: A History of Violence raises compelling and thoughtful questions about the nature of violence, while representing a return to form for director David Cronenberg in one of his more uncharacteristic pieces.
A History of Violence Videos & Photos
Movie Info
Tom Stall is living 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. … More
| Rating: | R (for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use) |
| Genre: | Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense |
| Directed By: | David Cronenberg |
| Written By: | Josh Olson, Josh Olsen |
| In Theaters: | Sep 30, 2005 Wide |
| On DVD: | Mar 14, 2006 |
| Box Office: | $31.4M |
| Runtime: |
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Cast
as Tom Stall
as Edie Stall
as Carl Fogarty
as Richie Cusack
as Jack Stall
as Sheriff Sam Carney
as Leland Jones
as William Orser
as Judy Danvers
as Bobby Jordan
as Charlotte
as Mick
as Sarah Stall
as Charlie Roarke
as Frank Mulligan
as Jenny Wyeth
as Ruben
as Pat
as Bobby's Buddy
as Shoe Saleswoman
as Richie's Thug
as Richie's Thug
as Richie's Thug
as Local TV Reporter
as Local TV Reporter
as Baseball Coach
as TV Broadcaster
as Motel Girl
as Kid in Diner
as Kid in Diner
as Hospital Well-Wisher
as Orderly
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LoginCritic Reviews for A History of Violence
All Critics (207) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (180) | Rotten (27) | DVD (38)
The less you know about this movie before seeing it -- and you really should see it -- the better.
Cronenberg's direction, mirroring the split in Tom, is alternately measured and frighteningly explosive, and, as always, he gives the movie a nasty underlay of sexual perversity.
This peculiarly predictable picture has been calculated, or miscalculated, to set up certain expectations, fulfill them, and then do the same thing again, thereby giving us a chance to see what's coming and, at least in theory, be shocked.
A remarkably convincing examination of heroism, hero worship, and the seductive allure of villainy.
A fascinating exercise in cinematic restraint resulting in a captivating, not to be missed film.
With A History Of Violence, Cronenberg uses the pulp gangster genre - as opposed to, say, sci-fi horror -- to draw us into a dialogue on our relationship as voyeurs to violence, both real and cinematic.
Audience Reviews for A History of Violence
I am pretty let down I'm not going to lie. I love David Cronenberg's films, and waiting so long to view this film, I thought I didn't know what I had been missing, but I don't think I was missing much. Yes, his brilliant style is displayed here once again, but I think following a guy as things just happen with not really much shock value (which is what it was trying to convey), was kind of boring to me. The performances were good, but the supporting cast was just awful. There really wasn't much new to the genre here, and when villains are introduced, things happen that really throw you out of the story. I was very disappointed during this film, and it just did not connect with me. "A History of Violence" is fine for what it is I guess, but it's nothing special, especially coming from Cronenberg, although I admire it.
Super Reviewer
it's good at he beginning, but the movie is ruining the graphic novel. its much better in graphic novel.
Dammit
Super Reviewer
Two bullies corner a quiet kid in a crowded school corridor and verbally humiliate him, calling him a coward. The quiet kid thereupon beats the living daylights out of the tough kids. So, in one instance, Cronenberg considers our societal relationship with violence: we like to say we deride it but actually but we always stop to watch. Too bad that its only a question of ethics presented and not a complete story, because after asking the question the director never follows through. As its Cronenberg, one does leave thinking: "that was one hell of a question!"
Super Reviewer
A History of Violence Quotes
| Tom Stall: | Jesus, Richie. |
| Richie Cusack: | How do you fuck that up? How do you FUCK THAT UP?! |
| Jack Stall: | If I rob Mulligan's pharmacy, are you going to ground me if I don't give you a piece of the action? If I go to Sam about you, will you have me whacked? |
| Carl Fogarty: | Still crazy fucking Joey. |
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