Intense, disturbing ‘Violence’

David Cronenberg has directed several graphically violent films over

the years, including such horror staples as “Friday the 13th” and

“Scanners.”

Accordingly, it is somewhat expected when his new film, “A History

of Violence,” opens with two drifters in the midst of a savage murder

and robbery spree. When the story shifts to the bucolic town of

Millbrook, Ind., and features the all-American Stall family -- who

appear to have stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting -- you just

know it’s too good to last.

Viggo Mortensen stars as Tom Stall, owner and operator of a small

diner and father of two. Tom seems to have it all, including Edie,

his beautiful wife (Maria Bello), with whom he shares a blissfully

happy and still passionate marriage.

Millbrook is a small town where the residents are like family. The

Stalls appear to enjoy a low-key and satisfying routine.

This pleasant tableau is destroyed forever when the two psychotic

drifters enter the diner at closing time.

Tom politely tells them the diner is closed, but the two criminals

pull guns and proceed to take the waitress and cook hostage.

Just when it becomes obvious the duo has no intent on leaving the

diner without killing everyone there, Tom springs into action. Like a

commando, Tom disarms one man and manages to kill both intruders.

Slightly injured in the melee, Tom emerges from the hospital a

local hero. Every television station features his heroics. Tom

refuses to give anything but curt answers to the reporters who dog

his every step, and he tries to resume a normal life.

Just when it seems he is succeeding, an ominous figure shows up at

the diner with two henchmen in tow. The man, Carl Fogarty (Ed

Harris), claims Tom is really someone else. Fogarty turns out to be

an organized crime figure, and he suspects Tom is really Joey Cusack,

a man from Philadelphia with a violent criminal past.

Tom denies this and claims it is a case of mistaken identity.

However, Fogarty is so convincing that even Tom’s wife starts to have

her doubts. The local sheriff suspects Tom might be in a federal

witness protection program.

Tom’s sudden notoriety also causes an increase in the bullying

Tom’s son Jack (Ashton Holmes) is subjected to at school. While Jack

has previously avoided physical confrontations, he now reacts by

lashing out violently.

“A History of Violence” is a disturbing film, and not simply

because of its graphic portrayal of violence. The film is rated R due

to “brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some

drug use.” However, it is the manner in which violence affects the

characters in the film that is most unsettling. Virtually no member

of the Stall family is unaffected by what has occurred, and each of

them later encounters or applies violence in their own situations.

The film is even more effective due to the foreboding atmosphere

created by Cronenberg and the excellent performances by the cast.

Mortensen gives perhaps the best performance of his career in a role

certainly more demanding than the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

Bello delivers a layered portrayal, as she must switch from

devoted wife to defender of her husband to someone who questions the

man she has known for more than 20 years. Holmes must also make a

significant transition as he turns from a passive, gentle youth to a

troubled and possibly violent young man.

The supporting roles are vitally important to the effectiveness of

the film, and two performances really stand out. Harris, always

excellent, plays Fogarty with blood-chilling malevolence that is

tempered with intelligence and cunning. Fogarty not only haunts Tom

Stall, he upsets the equilibrium of the entire family.

William Hurt has one of those brief but pivotal appearances that

often result in Oscar consideration. Hurt commands the screen the

entire time he is in the film and reminds everyone of what a fine

actor he can be.

“A History of Violence” is not a feel-good movie and is probably

too intense for anyone disturbed by this level of violence and some

cringe-inducing sex scenes. However, I can recommend the film to

those that enjoy an effective thriller with an interesting subtext

regarding the far-reaching effects of violence.

* VAN NOVACK, 50, is the director of institutional research at Cal

State Long Beach and lives in Huntington Beach with his wife

Elizabeth.