Overview:

Year: 2005
Running Time: 97 minutes
Country: United States
Director: David Cronenberg
Screenwriter: Josh Olson (adaptation of the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke)
 

Cast:

• Viggo Mortensen as Joey Cusack / Tom Stall
• Maria Bello as Edie Stall
• Ed Harris as Carl Fogarty
• William Hurt as Richie Cusack
• Ashton Holmes as Jack Stall
• Peter MacNeill as Sheriff Sam Carney
• Stephen McHattie as Leland Jones
• Greg Bryk as Billy Orser
• R. D. Reid as Pat
  Music:
• Howard Shore
  Cinematography:
• Peter Suschitzky
  Production Companies:
• New Line Cinema, BenderSpink
  Distributors:
• New Line Cinema, Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution
  Genre:
• Thriller, Drama | Mafia, Crime, Based on a Comic, Small Town Life

Synopsis:

Adapted from the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, A History of Violence follows Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen), a well-respected small-town diner owner who leads a peaceful life with his wife (Maria Bello) and two children. However, their lives take a dark turn when Tom stops a robbery and becomes a local hero, which attracts the attention of mobsters (played by William Hurt and Ed Harris) who believe he is someone from their past.

Rankings:

• #19 in Best Comic Book Movies

Awards & Nominations:

• 2005 Academy Awards: 2 nominations (Best Supporting Actor for William Hurt, Best Adapted Screenplay)

• 2005 Golden Globe Awards: 2 nominations (Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actress – Drama)
• 2005 BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay
• 2005 Cannes Film Festival: Nominated for Palme d’Or (Best Director)
• 2005 César Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film
• 2005 David di Donatello Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Film

Critical Reception:

• Manohla Dargis, The New York Times: "A masterpiece of subtlety and visceral thrills."

• Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: "This year, few films will rival the explosive impact and subversive wit of Cronenberg's A History of Violence (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)."
• Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: "[A] masterpiece, a clever art film disguised as a thriller."
• Todd McCarthy, Variety: "Surprisingly conventional for Cronenberg, lacking the complexity and strangeness typical of his work."
• James Berardinelli, ReelViews: "The film's strength lies in its psychological depth (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)."
• Jeremiah Kipp, Slant: "Based on a graphic novel, but treated with the simplicity and lack of nuance typical of juvenile comics (...) Rating: ★★ (out of 4)."
• Matthew Leyland, BBC: "This might seem like a mainstream project for Cronenberg, but it’s one of his most challenging and enjoyable films in years (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)."
• Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian: "A gripping, stylish film with elements of dark humor (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)."