Rent A History of Violence (2005)
3.5 of 5 from 371 ratings
1h 32min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is living a happy and quiet life with his lawyer wife (Maria Bello) and their two children in the small town of Millbrook, Indiana, but one night their idyllic existence is shattered when Tom foils a vicious attempted robbery in his diner. Sensing danger, he takes action and saves his customers and friends in the self-defence killings of two-sought-after criminals. Heralded as a hero, Tom's life is changed overnight, attracting a national media circus, which forces him into the spotlight. Uncomfortable with his newfound celebrity, Tom tries to return to the normalcy of his ordinary life only to be confronted by a mysterious and threatening man (Ed Harris) who arrives in town believing Tom is the man who's wronged him in the past. As Tom and his family fight back against this case of mistaken identity and struggle to cope with their changed reality, they are forced to confront their relationships and the divisive issues which surface as a result. - Actors:
- Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, William Hurt, Ashton Holmes, Peter MacNeill, Stephen McHattie, Greg Bryk, Kyle Schmid, Sumela Kay, Gerry Quigley, Deborah Drakeford, Heidi Hayes, Aidan Devine, Bill MacDonald, Michelle McCree, Ian Matthews, R.D. Reid, Morgan Kelly, Martha Reilly
- Directors:
- David Cronenberg
- Producers:
- Chris Bender, J.C. Spink
- Writers:
- John Wagner, Vince Locke, Josh Olson
- Others:
- Josh Olson
- Studio:
- Entertainment In Video
- Genres:
- Drama, Thrillers
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 02/03/2009
- Run Time:
- 120 minutes
- Languages:
- English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby TrueHD 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Behind the Scenes: Commentary by The Director, Violence's History, Too Commercial For Cannes Acts of Violence
- Additional Footage/Deleted Scenes
- Trailers
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Reviews (5) of A History of Violence
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.
3 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
Bit of a disappointment - A History of Violence review by CP Customer
Saw the trailers for this at the cinema, which made it look like an exciting and interesting thriller. However, I thought it was just OK. More could have been made of the main characters, but there was a general feeling for me that I didn't really care what happened to them. You start off liking the Viggo Mortensen character, but I really disliked him by the end of the film. Not particularly enjoyable, but OK if you have nothing else on!
1 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
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.
0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.