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Movie Review: A History of Violence
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| Movie Review: A History of Violence |
| 04.02.06 (6:41 pm) [edit] |
Now available to own or rent on DVD
Rating: 3/5
Starring: Viggo Mortenson, Maria Bello, Ed Harris and William Hurt
I've watched some violent films in my day (see February's review of Running Scared, for example). I've seen some messed up shiat on the small and big screen. Honestly, I thought I'd become desensitized to fake violence. I was wrong. A History of Violence is full of blood, guts, broken bones, ripped flesh and splattered brains, and it doesn't matter whether "he had it coming" - you're never allowed to become comfortable with it, as the characters themselves struggle to deal with the "blood on their hands".
In a sense, the violence in this film is refreshing. The hero doesn't just kill the baddies and go on with his life like he's had a bad day at the dentist. There are real emotional consequences - lots of soul searching and self-discovery. The film speaks to the beast within all of us, capable of the most horrific things. Yet, we're not all serial killers. Obviously there's a part of us that regulates the violent side, keeps it in check, suppresses it and it's only ever unleashed when everything we hold dear is under threat. Still, when the beast is unleashed, there are consequences.
Viggo Mortenson plays Tom Stahl, a small town family man with a dark side. When circumstances force his darker side to emerge, it threatens his very way of life. Mortenson plays Stahl with a subtlety and earnestness that draws you in. You see the pain, torment and fear in every look. He's paired with Maria Bello, a favorite actress of mine. Bello plays the loving and supportive wife with an edge. Her scenes with Mortenson are as intense as anything I've ever seen.
History's one failing is its conclusion. It's unsatisfying and leaves several questions unanswered. Still, it's a well made film - well acted, directed, written. Definitely worth a look.
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posted by: Anne-Marie (reply)
post date: 04.03.06 (10:41 am)
The ending actually made me angry that there was no conclusion, Nig nearly had some violence himself that night lol
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