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| A History Of Violence (2005) |
A History of Violence explores the intricacies of identity and the eerie hold of the past. A violent occurrence rocks Tom Stall's seemingly perfect life as a diner owner in the peaceful town of Millbrook, Indiana. Tom shoots two small-time crooks who try to steal his café with unexpected skill and ferocity, all while maintaining a calm demeanor that belies the gravity of the situation.
His self-defense makes him a local hero, winning the respect of his family, including his son Jack, daughter Sarah, and wife Edie. But this sudden prominence draws interest of a far darker nature.
Carl Fogarty travels to Millbrook believing that Tom is really Joey Cusack, a brutal mafia warrior from his past. Edie's first incredulity gives way when Carl divulges information about Tom's previous life that upends the basis of their bond.
Tom turns reclusive and withdrawn as a result of being torn between his current life and the return of a terrible past he fervently wishes to forget. The tension between the family members becomes unbearable due to mistrust and anxiety.
Jack, who is especially impacted by the information, struggles with the perception of his father as a heartless murderer. He starts acting more and more rebelliously and reclusive, turning to risky friendships with local bullies and violent video games for comfort.
In the meantime, Edie makes a valiant effort to make peace between the monster Carl portrays and the kind spouse she knows. Tom is forced to face the evil he long ago buried as the past seeps into the present.
The scenario gets even more complicated when Lenny, a former colleague of Joey's, shows up. Cold-blooded and cunning, Lenny seeks retribution against Joey for a previous betrayal.
When Sarah is abducted by Lenny, Tom's previous life and present collide severely. Tom is forced by this deed to decide between his new life and the family he so much wants to keep safe.
The movie investigates the hazy boundary between self-preservation and violence. Even though Tom's acts were violent, they beg concerns about his actual nature even if they were finally taken to defend his family. Was he always a kind man put in a difficult circumstance, or did the danger awaken a dormant part of him that was violent?
The movie doesn't hold back when illustrating the psychological damage that violence causes. Tom is troubled by his history and finds it difficult to reconcile the monster he once was with the man he aspires to be.
Edie struggles with her life being a betrayal of falsehoods. Jack is lured to the violence he sees in video games and his new acquaintance because he is struggling with his identity.
Masterful suspenseful writing, A History of Violence creates tension as the past looms large over the present. The movie also looks at the value of family and the extent individuals would go to in order to keep the ones they care about safe.
FULL RECAP OF "A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005)"
CAST OF "A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005)"
Viggo Mortensen as Tom Stall
Maria Bello as Edie Stall
Ed Harris as Carl Fogarty
William Hurt as Richie Cusack
Ashton Holmes as Jack Stall
Peter MacNeill as Sheriff Sam Carney
Stephen McHattie as Leland
Greg Bryk as Billy
Kyle Schmid as Bobby Singer
Sumela Kay as Judy Danvers
Gerry Quigley as Mick
Deborah Drakeford as Charlotte
Heidi Hayes as Sarah Stall
Aidan Devine as Charlie Roarke
Bill MacDonald as Frank Mulligan
Michelle McCree as Jenny Wyeth
Ian Matthews as Ruben
R.D. Reid as Pat
Other Info
Director: David Cronenberg
Writers: John Wagner - Vince Locke - Josh Olson
Release Date: September 30, 2005
Genres: Action - Crime - Drama - Thriller
Countries of Origin: United States - Canada - United Kingdom - Germany
Filming Locations: Millbrook, Ontario, Canada
Production Companies: New Line Cinema - BenderSpink - Media I! Filmproduktion München & Comp
Estimated Budget: $32,000,000
Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes