Search - A History of Violence on DVD
A History of Violence
| Actor(s): Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ashton Holmes, William Hurt, Stephen McHattie Director(s): David Cronenberg 174 |
Movie Details
| MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Profanity, Drug Content Movie Release: 2005 DVD Release: 03/14/2006 Format: DVD - Color - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 36 mins Studio: New Line Home Video Total Copies: 146 Genres: Thriller, Marriage Drama, Crime Thriller, Psychological Thriller See Also: A History of Violence [Final Cut] [Blu-ray] |
DVD Synopsis
David Cronenberg directed this screen adaptation of a graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke which explores how an act of heroism unexpectedly changes a man's life. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) lives a quiet life in a small Indiana town, running the local diner with his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), and raising their two children. But the quiet is shattered one day when a pair of criminals on the run from the police walk into his diner just before closing time. After they attack one of the customers and seem ready to kill several of the people inside, Tom jumps to the fore, grabbing a gun from one of the criminals and killing the invaders. Tom is immediately hailed as a hero by his employees and the community at large, but Tom seems less than comfortable with his new notoriety. One day, a man with severe facial scars, Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris), sits down at the counter and begins addressing Tom as Joey, and begins asking him questions about the old days in Philadelphia. While Tom seems puzzled, Carl's actions suggest that the quiet man pouring coffee at the diner may have a dark and violent past he isn't eager to share with others -- as well as some old scores that haven't been settled. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Actors
Viggo Mortensen - Tom Stall
Maria Bello - Edie Stall
Ashton Holmes - Jack Stall
William Hurt - Richie Cusack
Stephen McHattie - Leland Jones
Maria Bello - Edie Stall
Ashton Holmes - Jack Stall
William Hurt - Richie Cusack
Stephen McHattie - Leland Jones
Member Movie Reviews
Kathryn B. (KathrynBlodgett) from PALM BCH GDNS, FL wrote on 9/29/2009...Teddy B. (tigerted) from TUJUNGA, CA wrote on 6/10/2009...
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
David Cronenberg has thrilled us for years with shocking, disturbing, and violent films from "The Brood" (1979), to "Scanners"(1980), "Videodrome"(1982),"The Dead Zone"(1983), "The Fly" (1986),
and now one of his best: "A History of Violence." (Nominated for an Oscar)
Viggo Mortensen stars as the seemingly perfect, laid-back
family man with his quiet life in the Mid-West. His dark
and shady past comes back to haunt him one night,however, when two
killers try to hold up the diner where he works. He ends up
killing both of them and the town hails him as a hero. Ed Harris
turns up at his diner later, and starts to peel away at our hero's
true identity. Maria Bello is stunning as his attractive wife who
isn't completely sure who he really is. William Hurt even turns up
as an old buddy/employer who tries to lure Viggo back in. Cronenberg
delves deep into the psychological impact that the incident at the diner
has on the family, and questions how Americans have always been a violent
people. This film also puts our hero in some very difficult moral and ethical situations in which you have to ask yourself-What would I do?
A firecracker of a film from beginning to end which isn't out to glorify
cinematic violence or to show it off for kicks. Yes, it's a very violent and bloody film, but in the realistic sense. Outstanding direction by Cronenberg, and standout performances by all the actors. I definately reccomend this one!
Alice H. (singlegalkansas) from TOPEKA, KS wrote on 1/18/2009...
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Awesome. This was a very violent movie, with graphic sex but it was awesome. Then see Viggo's other movie Eastern Promises 
Chris H. (moviedude5000) from SAN JACINTO, CA wrote on 10/15/2008...
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great movie, but not for anyone under 16.Gun Shot wounds look more realistic than any movie I have ever seen.
Should read graphic novel as well.
Liz C. (lizzard) from HOLLY HILL, FL wrote on 4/27/2008...
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
A lot of sexual activity, some violent. And a lot of blood. A good movie, just not for any one under 16. Sarah F. (Ferdy63) from DALTON, GA wrote on 2/13/2008...
0 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Excellent and very original story line. I know the title is A History of Violence but this went a bit too far in showing the graphic images - close ups of people shot in the head, etc. There are also a couple of sex scenes between the title character and his wife that leave very little to the imagination. John C. (bookwheelboy) wrote on 12/22/2007...
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A strange and wonderfully violent movie. Movies Similar to "A History of Violence"
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