History of Violence (2005)
So is there a difference between a good thriller and a good mystery (or drama for that matter)? Maybe not, but I decided to have both genres on my list. History of Violence could fall into several categories, but I think it fits nicely as the decade’s best thriller.
This is not a film for the squeamish or faint of heart. However, if you have the stomach for a film that truly portrays violence for what it is, where it comes from, and what it can manifest into, then this is the film for you.
I watched this film again just a few weeks ago and I was amazed at how much more I enjoyed it the second time around (sorry, but I am ending this sentence with a preposition). Clearly David Cronenberg is not a household name, nor a Hollywood A-list director, but here he proves he can make a film accessible for the masses (much like he did with his follow-up Eastern Promises, also starring Viggo Morttensen and also an excellent film).
The film’s protagonist is Tom Stall (possibly Mortensen's best role). He is a typical, mild-mannered restaurant owner is a small Mayberryesque town. He becomes a nightly news hero by stopping a robbery in his diner, and becomes somewhat of a town celebrity. However, things begin to slowly unravel in his family life as a result of his heroism. Violence, as the title suggest, ensues from this point on throughout the film. Needless to say this is a thriller, and I don’t want to spoil the film for you, because my bet is you haven’t seen it.
Mario Bello is excellent as Tom’s wife (very underrated actress in my opinion, again, I recommend The Cooler). William Hurt steals the film in its conclusion though. He is absolutely fantastic; earning a well deserved Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor, even though he clocks in less than ten minutes of screen time. For his performance alone, I can recommend this film.
So is there a difference between a good thriller and a good mystery (or drama for that matter)? Maybe not, but I decided to have both genres on my list. History of Violence could fall into several categories, but I think it fits nicely as the decade’s best thriller.
This is not a film for the squeamish or faint of heart. However, if you have the stomach for a film that truly portrays violence for what it is, where it comes from, and what it can manifest into, then this is the film for you.
I watched this film again just a few weeks ago and I was amazed at how much more I enjoyed it the second time around (sorry, but I am ending this sentence with a preposition). Clearly David Cronenberg is not a household name, nor a Hollywood A-list director, but here he proves he can make a film accessible for the masses (much like he did with his follow-up Eastern Promises, also starring Viggo Morttensen and also an excellent film).
The film’s protagonist is Tom Stall (possibly Mortensen's best role). He is a typical, mild-mannered restaurant owner is a small Mayberryesque town. He becomes a nightly news hero by stopping a robbery in his diner, and becomes somewhat of a town celebrity. However, things begin to slowly unravel in his family life as a result of his heroism. Violence, as the title suggest, ensues from this point on throughout the film. Needless to say this is a thriller, and I don’t want to spoil the film for you, because my bet is you haven’t seen it.
Mario Bello is excellent as Tom’s wife (very underrated actress in my opinion, again, I recommend The Cooler). William Hurt steals the film in its conclusion though. He is absolutely fantastic; earning a well deserved Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor, even though he clocks in less than ten minutes of screen time. For his performance alone, I can recommend this film.
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