by zEke
David Cronenberg seems to have left the nightmarish expressionism of his early work to focus in a more psychological approach to human paradoxes. That, though, without getting away from the presence mutation, in any shape and shade, has had in most of his movies. Thus, after spider (2000), a history of violence meant a smooth continuation to this new trend.
Based on the graphic novel by John Wagner ad Vince Locke, a history of violence tells the story of Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen), a humble restaurant owner that happily survives with his wife Edie and his two kids in the small town of Millbrock. Nevertheless, his life suddenly changes when one day he kills two armed robbers in his restaurant to defend his business and his clients. He has to deal then with becoming a popular hero and with a past he thought forgotten when Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris), after seing his picture in the papers, visits him to remind him who he really is.
Interesting enough are the tricks the movie indirectly plays with the viewers, who will find themselves watching a cheesy telefilm during the introduction, will not know what is really going on during the twisted development, and will finally label all together after the conclusion.
As simple as that, the title says it all. The history is indeed about violence. About violence, justified or not, but violence after all, and snowball effects. And it is told simple, without adornments, and more important, without judgment. That ball is on the viewers’ roof, and they will hopefully welcome the challenge. Cronenberg and Josh Olson, author of the screenplay, can afford that, because the plot they have under their hands is solid enough, and it would have been really difficult for them to deliver a less than an average product. With all, Cronemberg’s trade marks are still there. This time mutations are psychological rather than physical, which somehow is scarier because, wanted or not, we are all closer to experience those. Violence has a deep impact on lives of both, who apply it and who suffer it.
Unfortunately, the cast is not as good as one might expect. Mortensen might be too weak at the beginning and too strong at the end, and wizened all the way. Definitely he is not able to squeeze his character properly. The rest of the cast, even though they all have a quite good reputation, they go unnoticed, and their performances are not the ones they got their reputation from.
All in all, a movie that being short, just over ninety minutes, will not offend anyone, even though it is far away from being Cronenberg’s best. And it will not offend anyone because you might like it better or worse, but you will be the only one judging the characters’ actions, and that is something that we should appreciate these days. I am tired of other people chewing my food for me.
For the deadhours of those who purposely forget things about themselves.
deadrate: δair
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