A History of Violence

Year: 2005
Running time: 96 minutes

Certificate: 18

Language: English

Screenplay: Josh Olson

Director: David Cronenberg

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Maria Bello, William Hurt, Ashton Holmes, Heidi Hayes

Local hero being locally heroic? Or something more?

A History of Violence is one of David Cronenberg's more 'normal' films (although this is only at first glance; a more considered look shows multiple layers on identity and transformation, both of which are well-trod ground for the director). I wondered if 'commercial' would be a better word there, but actually I think despite being generally a lot more 'out there', Cronenberg has been a pretty successful director. It seems he had a pretty good time making this gangster-like thriller, because he and his star Viggo Mortensen followed it up in 2007 with Eastern Promises, which isn't the same, but I think does share some similarities.

Tom Stall (Mortensen) owns a modest diner in small town America. Happily married to Edie (Maria Bello) with two kids Jack (Ashton Holmes) and Sarah (Heidi Hayes), he is quiet, peaceful and well-liked. Until one night he foils an attempted robbery on his diner, despatching the two would-be robbers with quick, brutal efficiency. The scene is sudden, shocking, and over before you know it. Hailed as a hero, Tom becomes an unwilling local celebrity, face plastered all over the news, which is how he gets the attention of Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris).

Carl has been looking for a gangster by the name of Joey Cusack for years, and shortly after the incident, arrives at Tom's diner to tell him he is convinced that Tom is actually the Joey Cusack he's been looking for. From this point on the film dives deep into themes of uncertainty, trust and deception. At first, it seems ludicrous that Tom is Joey, but the crux of the film is how this certainty begins to unravel throughout the running time as in light of the shocking efficiency with which Tom kills the two robbers, Edie begins to doubt her husband is who she has always assumed him to be.

Mistaken identity or exactly who he's looking for?

There is no point spoiling the rest of it for you, but the story does a decent job of leading you through a twisted narrative to get to the truth. As a whole, it's pretty good. The themes are interesting and the story is well told. Admittedly, I wasn't blown away, but I think that's more to do with me than the film itself. Suffice to say it's competent and worth a watch, but won't be sitting on my favourites list, nor am I desperate for a rewatch any time soon.

Score: 7/10

James at Reelviews thought it was good but undermined by a formulaic third act and Peter at Rolling Stone absolutely loved it.