Rent A History of Violence (2005)

Intelligent thriller - A History of Violence review by CP Customer

This was very slow-moving with a restrained, reflective pace. An intelligent film with a good script and some great acting (Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris and a scary William Hurt).

The one jarring note was the sickly sentimental lovey-doveyness of the family - yuck! This element was very heavy-handed in contrast to the story of mob connections and violence.

Very Powerful - A History of Violence review by CP Customer

An accomplished, yet reserved film from David Cronenberg. In his earlier films the Canadian would have resorted to huge swathes of violence and bloodshed. Yet here he has learned the lesson that not everything needs to be revealed or shown in its full glory. Viggo's onscreen presence is powerful, with his actions saying more than words. Despite working in a mundane job he is clearly confident of being able to handle whatever walks into his cafe. It doesn't take too long for that trouble to arrive, thrusting an uncomfortable wedge between his new family. How he deals with this annoyance will leave you debating the subtle ending long after the credits have rolled.

Clever, Thought Provoking & Entertaining Thriller - A History of Violence review by GI

When mild mannered family man Tom foils a robbery at his diner and kills two criminals he becomes a local hero and headline news. But soon afterwards three sinister men arrive claiming Tom is really a former mobster and they've come to take him back to atone for past deeds against the 'family'. Tom insists they have the wrong man but soon his wife begins to have doubts that Tom isn't who he says he is. A really great crime thriller that exhibits Viggo Mortensen's acting range. It's a tough, occasionally brutal film with some really graphic violence and the controversy comes from what you interpret director David Cronenberg's intention is here. Where violence erupts in the narrative it seems to produce result satisfactory consequences. Tom's killing of the two psychopath's who rob his diner saves others and rids the world of two quite horrendous people, equally though Tom's son, Jack (Ashton Holmes) reacts violently to school bullies and we applaud his actions even though he is told of the likely reactions by his father. There's a scene where Tom violently threatens his wife during an argument which results in her becoming sexually aroused. The film is asking questions about the nature of violence and its consequences whilst being wrapped in a very entertaining thriller narrative. In many ways an interesting look at the part played by violence in the modern world. Maria Bello, Ed Harris and William Hurt round out a great cast in this film that, for the most part, keeps you guessing with some neat plot twists. Well worth revisiting if you haven't seen this in awhile and definitely one to check out if it's passed you by before now.