Review: A History of Violence (2005)

In one of the DVD's special features it mentions how Cronenberg often does movies about change - people becoming different (often physically, but in this case mentally). By the time Fogarty and his crew arrive in town, it's as if Tom has actually forgotten them. He, to spoil the movie entirely ... so stop reading now if you don't want that to happen ... has indeed become Tom. The first 1/3 of the movie is undoubtedly the best, and so utterly convincing that the viewer nearly forgets this is a Cronenberg film (except for the auspicious opening scene lingering in the back of one's mind).

The slaying of Fogarty and his crew is a bit I have problems with. Sure this is ultimately a movie about violence (Cronenberg has also commented that he intended it to be rather Darwinian in nature), but it still seemed rather out of place. The blood continues into Philadelphia where Tom goes to confront an old acquaintance (William Hurt). I've never seen Hurt play anything like this, and thus am continually impressed with his acting chops - some of the best in the business, in my opinion.

But moving on to more pressing matters, what is this film really about? What does it have to say? Cronenberg seems to think it's got something to do with the duality of lives and realities, and some kind of survival of the fittest. One of the most crucial scenes for me would be the initial diner scene where Tom is pushed aside, 20 years of hard work shattered to preserve his physical safety (subconciously). I guess this matter of 'who is Tom?' is what the movie is about from Tom's perspective, but to Edie (the always wonderful Maria Bello), it's about something quite different, and the same holds true for Jack, their son. I enjoyed these mutliple layers quite a bit. I also appreciated the film's tight 96 minute run time. If you actually read any of those reviews I posted a while back, you'll know that being too long gets you a big X in my book.

So anyways, this is a solid addition to the quirky Cronenberg collection, but could have benefited from a bit less violence.

Rating: *** 1/2