A History of Violence

Post by **Usivius** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 1:18 pm

Surprisingly I didn't see a topic on this movie (not so surprising will be that there is actually a thread on this and I missed it).

Saw it last night and was not let down by all the positive hype I had heard about it (a rarity). I never saw the graphic novel it was based upon, but enjoyed its themes very much. This is what could have very easily been a mainstream movie and was elevated by the director's keen eye, and excellent performances all around (although I was not so keen on the teenage son's acting job).

Cronenburg has a knack for jarring you, usually with violence, and here is no different. All the scenes of violence will always have a return shot of the person who was just killed, just so you can see the horrible aftermath of the attack. And the delicate performances of Viggo and Ms. Bello are real and stirring.

The double meaning of the title is apt, as well.

A must see.

Post by **sgt.null** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:30 pm

excellent movie. i like the amiguity exhibited by the main characters. the stairway scene...

and Hurt is great in the role. watch the commentary for how he came up with his accent.

Post by **Usivius** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:18 pm

yah, I just rented it and had to return it before seeing all the extras. But i have heard the commentaries are great, especially from Cronenberg.
Can't wait to own it.

Post by **sgt.null** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:50 am

it would be worth it. I did not know that the lead was from elsewhere? (drawing a blank on his name)

Post by **danlo** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:41 pm

The lead? Surely you're not drawing a blank of Viggo (Aragron) Mortensen on a FANTASY FORUM are you?

OMG!

Post by **Cail** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:02 am

He also played the Devil in The Prophecy.

Post by **Kinslaughterer** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:05 am

I saw about half this movie the other night and just couldn't finish it. I've only refused to watch a whole movie probably twice in my life. I thought this was possibly the worst thing I'd ever seen. I never believed for a second that Viggo, Bello, the kids were an actual family, the violence was expected but totally unrealistic, I called all the outcomes of tense moments...I thought it was a bush league script with famous actors. Just my 2 cents

Post by **danlo** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:25 am

Well that blows as I just rented this movie on the recommendation of the guy at the vid store--and I respect kin's opinion on many things, football in particular...

Post by **sgt.null** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:49 am

should have known by the name Vigo he wasn't from, say Nebraska. the Prophecy was the one with Walken?

Post by **Cail** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:26 pm

Yeah, that's the one.

Post by **Usivius** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:13 pm

well, danlo, I'll add my two cents again:
Don't listen to Kinslaughterer! Watch it!

I must confess a certain amount of confusion at the pan of the movie though. I totally beleived the small-twon family unit portrayed in the movie. I have relatives that they remind me of (except add two more girls). And the violence being unrealistic?... well, it could be debated, but it really is not the point if the violence is realistic or not. The violence is suppoe to be jarring and ugly --- and that it was.

Give it a shot, danlo, if for nothing else than Cronenburg, Ed Harris and William Hurt....

Post by **sgt.null** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:41 am

William Hurt alone. i need to rent more of his movies.

Post by **danlo** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:46 am

finally watched it...not bad...definately held my attn. and the stairs scene pretty blankety blank hot! Hurt was very good, Viggo almost too timid sounding...worth the 4 bucks-I did enjoy it, when the two year old wasn't watching...

Post by **sgt.null** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:11 am

i was surprised there wasn't a feminist protest against the stair scene...

Post by **dlbpharmd** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 11:04 am

I watched this last night. I like mob movies and overall this is no exception, "Joey" was definitely the best thing about it. The stair way scene was absolutely ridiculous, completely unbelieveable. Ed Harris and William Hurt are the highlights from the movie. Bello is ultra hot but she didn't pull off the performance, and neither did Viggo.

Post by **wayfriend** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:08 pm

I just saw it over the weekend. Maybe you can call it a mob movie, but it's certainly an "acting" mob movie rather than an "action" mob movie or a "crime" mob movie. Looking back on it, it seems like there wasn't much of a plot - it could have used some twists to add some surprises. Weirdly, I thought William Hurt was one of the best parts of the movie, which surprised me because he usually just walks through his parts (witness Hurt as Duke Atriedes). He actually added some comedy to the movie, which probably was not intentional. Overall, though, it was a very Cronenburg Cronenberg movie.

Post by **dlbpharmd** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:38 pm

I thought William Hurt was one of the best parts of the movie

Agreed.

Post by **Gil galad** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 4:57 am

I must admit that when I watched this movie it blew my mind a little bit and I spent a long time deciding whether I liked it or not. Eventually my love for the acting quality and artistry won out over my shock.

Post by **Warmark** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:51 am

I saw this a few weeks ago, i liked it, if it was a little weird. The ending was rubbish though.

I liked the scene where is his son had a fight at shcool.
Viggo's character was rediculously ruthless and some of the murders made me laugh.

Heh, that probabley says a lot about me. :?:P

Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:25 am

I like this film. It's well directed and acted - Hurt is just...mesmerizing. Ya gotta see this even for just his character.

It's not great, but it's good - solid good.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

A History of Violence

A History of Violence