A History of Violence (2005)

Director:

David Cronenberg

Writers (WGA):

John Wagner (graphic novel) and
Vince Locke (graphic novel) ...

Release Date:

30 September 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Everyone has something to hide.

Plot:

A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.

Plot Keywords:

Diner | Mobster | Identity | Small Town | Self Defense

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 26 wins & 31 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Nov. 23

12:00 AM

SPIKETV

Cast

Viggo Mortensen	...	Tom Stall
Maria Bello	...	Edie Stall
Ed Harris	...	Carl Fogarty
William Hurt	...	Richie Cusack
Ashton Holmes	...	Jack Stall
Peter MacNeill	...	Sheriff Sam Carney
Stephen McHattie	...	Leland
Greg Bryk	...	Billy
Kyle Schmid	...	Bobby
Sumela Kay	...	Judy Danvers
Gerry Quigley	...	Mick
Deborah Drakeford	...	Charlotte
Heidi Hayes	...	Sarah Stall
Aidan Devine	...	Charlie Roarke
Bill MacDonald	...	Frank Mulligan

Also Known As:

A History of Violence (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Philippines:R-13 (cut) | Australia:MA | Singapore:R21 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | France:-12 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Hong Kong:III | Japan:R-15 | Indonesia:Dewasa | Czech Republic:15 | Mexico:C | Brazil:18 | Sweden:15 | Australia:R (original rating) | New Zealand:R18 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | Germany:18 (bw) | Italy:T (re-rated) | Italy:VM14 (original rating) | USA:R (certificate #41604) | Israel:16 | UK:18 | Ireland:18 | Norway:18

Filming Locations:

King City, Ontario, Canada

Company:

New Line Productions

Trivia:

The actors who played the two robbers in the cafe came up with their own backstory about why the men were travelling together. According to them the older man was the younger man's uncle and was taking him across country after the younger man had been released from prison.

Goofs:

Continuity: While Jack is being bullied by Bobby Jordan after the softball game, he puts on his shirt. In the next over-shoulder shot we can see his bare neck and shoulder, clearly implying that he doesn't have a shirt on. When the shot cuts back to the other shot Jack has his shirt on again.

Quotes:

[first lines]
William Orser: So we keep headin' east?
Leland Jones: Yeah, that's the idea.
William Orser: Stay out of the big cities?
Leland Jones: Uh-huh.

Movie Connections:

References L.A. Confidential (1997)

Soundtrack:

Club Hoppin'

It's Hard To Forget This Movie......It Sticks In Your Mind.......

David Cronenberg's History of Violence is a hard movie to leave your mind. May it be for the strong violence, for the comic book environment, or maybe because it's a wonderful film. This is easily the best thriller of the year, with Oscar deserving performances (especially Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris) and a perfect timing. The story is marvelous and all scenes are memorable. David Cronenberg creates a well-paced violence story that unfolds bit by bit until leaving you perplex and surprised with its quality. Viggo Mortensen is the perfect person for the role given, and the film only benefits of that. The story, about a family man who kills in self-defense robbers in his coffee shop, seems kind of dull at first, but then proves to be a fancy thriller with plot twists (at least for me) and impressive scenes. William Hurt also comes up to give a wonderful performance, making the film stronger. The film is violent and at some points excessive, but who cares? As long as the movie is good, it can be as excessive as it wants. This is cinema, because cinema is about movies who are remembered always, just like I hope History of Violence is. An outstanding achievement, made to stun you and marvel.------10/10