Movie Review: Cronenberg continues his history of violence
How far would you go to protect your family? Would you be able to kill?
This is the question director David Cronenberg asks in his latest film, a History of Violence. Although it follows a rather unrealistic plot, Cronenberg fans will appreciate that they are made to feel a little uneasy at times.
Loosely based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, the movie stars Viggo Mortensen as Tom Stall, a quiet, easygoing family man who runs a diner in a small Indiana town. But when a pair of dangerous criminals comes into the restaurant prepared to wreak havoc, Stall turns hero and shoots them both in a scene where Cronenberg exercises his history of movie violence with some gratuitously gory exit wound shots. After Stall's story is blasted all over the media, Philly mobster Carl Fogarty (an excellent performance by Ed Harris) shows up, claiming that Tom is actually former hit man Eddie Cusack—and they've got some important business to finish. While Stall insists that Fogarty is mistaken, his family—his wife, Edie (Maria Bello); teenage son, Jack (Ashton Holmes); and young daughter, Sarah (Heidi Hayes)—get dragged into the danger that constantly threatens to explode.
Cronenberg fans have to see this movie anyway regardless of the reviews, but don't expect a traditional Cronenberg film. This is a drama, and it's a little cheesy in parts, but it does ask some interesting questions about core human values. Unfortunately, it's completely unrealistic and as much as I tried I couldn't suspend my disbelief. There was potential, but the characters were just too normal.
If you don't know David Cronenberg, then rent one of these eye screams: Crash (1996) no relation to the 2005 film of the same name, Naked Lunch, or Dead Ringers. Confused by anything that doesn't have Hollywood Slick written all over it? Then stick with something a little easier to swallow.
This is the question director David Cronenberg asks in his latest film, a History of Violence. Although it follows a rather unrealistic plot, Cronenberg fans will appreciate that they are made to feel a little uneasy at times.
Loosely based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, the movie stars Viggo Mortensen as Tom Stall, a quiet, easygoing family man who runs a diner in a small Indiana town. But when a pair of dangerous criminals comes into the restaurant prepared to wreak havoc, Stall turns hero and shoots them both in a scene where Cronenberg exercises his history of movie violence with some gratuitously gory exit wound shots. After Stall's story is blasted all over the media, Philly mobster Carl Fogarty (an excellent performance by Ed Harris) shows up, claiming that Tom is actually former hit man Eddie Cusack—and they've got some important business to finish. While Stall insists that Fogarty is mistaken, his family—his wife, Edie (Maria Bello); teenage son, Jack (Ashton Holmes); and young daughter, Sarah (Heidi Hayes)—get dragged into the danger that constantly threatens to explode.
Cronenberg fans have to see this movie anyway regardless of the reviews, but don't expect a traditional Cronenberg film. This is a drama, and it's a little cheesy in parts, but it does ask some interesting questions about core human values. Unfortunately, it's completely unrealistic and as much as I tried I couldn't suspend my disbelief. There was potential, but the characters were just too normal.
If you don't know David Cronenberg, then rent one of these eye screams: Crash (1996) no relation to the 2005 film of the same name, Naked Lunch, or Dead Ringers. Confused by anything that doesn't have Hollywood Slick written all over it? Then stick with something a little easier to swallow.
