A History of Violence (and Cronenberg)
reviewed by Chris McMorrow
Canadian director David Cronenberg's latest mind blowing feature initially appears to be a departure from the norm in that it doesn't take place in an imagined universe of the bizarre. Unlike the majority of his work, the setting and characters of 'A History of Violence' exist in real time, right here on Earth. Luckily for fans of such disturbing flicks as Crash, Dead Ringers and The Dead Zone, no one can blast apart a white picket fence fantasy like Cronenberg.
Viggo Mortensen stars as Tom Stall, upstanding Indiana citizen and all around swell guy. When not serving coffee to the locals in his diner, he is ensconced at home with his beautiful, adoring and successful wife Edie and their two precious children. Love emanates from every nod and wink that passes between this devoted family until even the most jaded viewer is lulled into believing that nothing could penetrate their world of homespun happiness.
This spell is officially broken when two roving murderers decide to make a stop at Stall's Diner for some cash and a body count. Oddly enough, they are no match for the peaceable Tom, and he disposes of them with all the speed and flourish of a speed-fuelled assassin.  Quickly catapulted to all American hero status in the eyes of the world, it's only a few days after the incident when more than the press comes calling. A particularly menacing Ed Harris who may or may not have tangled with Tom in the past threatens to destroy all that our hero has held dear for twenty years.
Hypnotized by the brutal events as they unfold, we find ourselves reeling from one heart-stopping moment to the next until we don't care why we're enjoying the hell ride so much. Both Mortensen's and Maria Bello's performances are easily Oscar worthy, and William Hurt's hysterically deadpan portrayal of a Mafioso late in the film adds a suitably surreal touch at the most unlikely moment in the script. It's only after the action is over that we begin to question our fascination and consider the deviant that dwells within ourselves. Cronenberg has a unique ability to provide high quality entertainment while yanking our emotions in impossible directions can finally reach a wider audience, as fans of Clint Eastwood and more visceral horror film fans alike will find 'A History of Violence' well worth the trip.
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