A History of Violence DVD Review:

When the production code was lifted and the rating system began, gradually films started to test the waters. At first films were not horribly graphic, but compared to the censored films that audiences were used to watching, these rated films must have had quite an impact. Over time that impact was diminished and in order to get the same reaction, certain films became more graphic. Now it seems as though a film must be absurdly violent to get any reaction whatsoever. Films like Final Destination 3 and Kill Bill are so over-the-top, that the only way they can be appreciated is by understanding the significance in what they are showing. The violence in these films is an homage to films from another time, and they strive to get the same reaction, only in order to do so with a numb audience stakes must be raised. Cronenberg understands this with A History of Violence, which is just as much a play off of his earlier work as it is all violent cinema. The only problem is that the subtlety may be lost on most audience members, and then it is simply a horrifically violent film.

Taunting us with the endless possibilities of twists and turns our life could take, A History of Violence opens with the casual everyday living of an everyday man. Tom Stall, played by Viggo Mortensen, lives in small town Millbrook, Indiana with his lawyer wife and their two children. Tom owns a diner in town, and one night he foils an attempted robbery. When the media gets word of how Tom rescued all of the customers in the diner he becomes an instant celebrity. Suddenly a group of rugged men come into town, led by Ed Harris, accusing Tom of being a man with a different past. Suddenly they are a threat to Tom and his family, and he must protect them. Meanwhile his family must figure out if Tom has been lying to them, or if it is just a case of mistaken identity.

A History of Violence begins with forced normality. Life is almost so perfect that it is unbearable to watch. You just want something to happen to stir up the sugary sweet images, and they are suddenly replaced with images of graphic violence. It is a shattering experience to watch A History of Violence, and not always a pleasant one, but there is also something fascinating about it as well. Each moment without violence builds the tension to unbearable levels, always relieved by some horrific conclusion.

The performances in A History of Violence are top notch, and everyone gets bonus points for accents as well. Mortensen brings depth to each scene, a mystery even to the very end of the film. Ed Harris has fun with eye prosthetics, Maria Bello is steamy, and William Hurt is wickedly entertaining. The whole film relies on these performances, and it keeps A History of Violence from being cheap. Some might be frustrated with the understated ending of the film, but the fact that the actors can end the film with no words and have everything come together clearly is impressive regardless.

The DVD is so impressive that it leaves little room for any special edition in the future. There is a great documentary, “Acts of Violence”, which is filled with behind the scenes footage, interviews, and other great things in eight acts. There is one deleted scene, Scene 44, and there is also a short featurette about the making of this dream sequence that was cut from the film anyways. There is a short feature about the small differences in the United States version of the film and the International version. One of the best features is a tour through Cannes, showing all of the interviews and photo sessions that go along with the premiere. There are also trailers and a fantastic and intelligent commentary by the seasoned director, David Cronenberg.



Ryan Izay