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By
WAYNE KLEIN
"A History of Violence"
reminds us all of how effective and powerful a
director David Cronenberg can be. Based loosely
based on a popular graphic novel, "Violence" is a
brilliant film that looks beneath the calm
exterior of a man who has remade himself into
someone else. Like all of Cronenberg's films his
main character Tom Stall seems calm and complacent
but circumstances transfer Tom into a killing
machine. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Original
Screenplay, I was so disappointed that the Academy
overlooked Cronenberg for a nomination as Best
Director. While I won't argue that "Crash"
deserved its Oscars, I would argue against the
nomination of Paul Haggis as Best Director;
"Crash" was a writer's film not a director's and,
while the screenplay for "Violence" is marvelous
it's definitely a director's film. I can only
conclude that the Academy once again overlooked a
major talent because his work is so often outside
the mainstream and incorporates fantasy, sci-fi
and horror elements into his dramas. It's a pity
and reminds me of the oversight made by the
Academy with many other talented film directors
over the years.
Tom Stall's (Viggo Mortensen) small town life is
shaken up when he foils a robbery in his own
diner. Suddenly this Indiana man's life is turned
upside down when the media gets a hold of the
story. His face is plastered over every TV station
as he is hailed as a hero. His wife Edie (Maria
Bello) and two children are effected as well when
a thug named Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) shows up
with two of his goons claiming that Tom is Joey
Cusack a mafia killer. Carl has come to take Tom
back. Tom continues to deny that he's Joey and
Carl decides to take matters into his own hands to
force Tom to come back with him and face his past.
Filled with marvelous performances by Mortensen,
Bello, Harris, Ashton Holmes and William Hurt (in
a glorified but effective cameo)"A History of
Violence" continues Cronenberg's fascination with
the question of identity, transformation and
recreation. It's also a terrific action thriller.
Mortensen perfectly embodies the character of Tom
(SPOILER AHEAD) with a performance that captures
the duality of his nature. Tom is literally a self
made man someone who hated who he had become and
elected to kill his old identity and be reborn
again as someone noble. Unfortunately nobility
comes with a price for Tom as his family and their
idyllic life is torn apart by the very violence
that Tom sought to escape.
The DVD looks marvelous. Colors are bold and
vibrant and the bit rate is high allowing for a
crisp, sharp presentation. The 5.1 Dolby Digital
Surround Sound mix sounds impressive making
effective use of the format particularly during
the explosive conclusion of the film.
There's an exhaustive and terrific documentary on
the making of the film that can be viewed as
individual featurettes, a key deleted scenes along
with commentary by Cronenberg and featurette as to
why Cronenberg cut the scene. Cronenberg discusses
how this particular scene might have made him
reconsider not directing the film, as it was the
type of scene that he's become well known for in
his films. The featurette allows us to also see
behind the scenes both on the planning and
production side of this scene. Cronenberg also
provides an intelligent, articulate commentary
track that's a highlight of the disc.
A terrific action thriller that allows Cronenberg
a much different canvas to work with, "A History
of Violence" was justifiably acclaimed and added
to 150 "Best of Year" lists. Filled with a number
of marvelous performances particularly from a
low-key Mortensen, "Violence" is also thought
provoking and, unlike many films, doesn't take the
easy way out with the conclusion. Keep your eyes
peeled for a marvelous brief turn by William Hurt
as well. |
